MLHU reporting 8 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, fourth wave likely
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting eight new infections Wednesday, but no new deaths from COVID-19.
This is up slightly from seven on Wednesday and no new cases Tuesday.
The region now has a total of 12,821 cases and 231 deaths, with 12,538 resolved cases leaving 52 active.
There are now 3,636 cases with a variant of concern, including 129 of the highly contagious Delta variant.
Local health and municipal officials continue to encourage anyone who has not yet dones so to get vaccinated ahead of an expected fourth wave and as thousands of doses of the Moderna vaccine are set to expire.
During a virtual media briefing Thursday, the MLHU's Dr. Chris Mackie said evidence is growing that we're moving toward a fourth wave that could spike by October, so it's imperative that everyone gets vaccinated.
"Some modelling data coming out from a number of places is showing that, you know, we will continue to see case counts climb until we get the vaccination rate even higher, and looking through the fall, (we've) seen some projections showing that we really will be climbing, you know, close to half of the rate of the peak of the third wave, which was our highest case count ever."
Mayor Ed Holder emphasized that the excess of defrosted Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which must be used by Aug. 12, need not go to waste if people go get their shots.
"We have sufficient people out there who have the requirement...get your vaccination, Moderna, I don't care, whatever the vaccine is, not a drop has to go to waste if people did the right thing."
No appointment is needed to get a vaccine and in addition to the mass vaccination clinics there are a number of pop-up and mobile clinics in London and Middlesex in the coming weeks. Dates and locations can be found here.
REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – three new, 36 active, 3,975 total, 3,855 resolved, 84 deaths, 889 variants
- Grey-Bruce – five new, 49 active, 2,140 total, 2,058 resolved, 19 deaths
- Haldimand-Norfolk – zero new, 13 active, 2,746 total, 2,679 resolved, 48 deaths
- Huron-Perth – one new, eight active, 1,945 total, 1,880 resolved, 57 deaths, 362 variants
- Sarnia-Lambton – two new, two active, 3,640 total, 3,570 resolved, 68 deaths, 685 variants
The province saw a jump in new infections Thursday with 213 new cases. this comes after a dip Wednesday of 139, 168 on Tuesday and 164 on Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.