MLHU reports 10 new COVID-19 cases, rise in Delta variant
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 10 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, ending a five-day streak of single-digit daily counts. No new deaths were reported.
The region now has a total of 12,519 cases and 224 deaths, with 12,237 cases resolved leaving 58 active. There are now 3,439 cases with a variant of concern and another 194 that are mutation positive.
Four new cases of the Delta variant were confirmed Wednesday, bringing the region's total to six.
The health unit says they were all in people ages 18 to 31, none had travelled and they do not appear to be linked to each other. All cases have been resolved.
Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers says, "The Delta variant, first identified in India, is more transmissible and appears to lead to more people in hospital amongst unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals."
In recent months the variant that originated in the U.K., the B.1.1.7 or Alpha variant, has been the dominant strain in the region, but that is expected to change.
"It is fully anticipated that the Delta variant will become the dominant strain within our region. Across the province it is also presumed the dominant strain is the Delta variant in some jurisdictions and we don't be too far behind," Summers adds.
The Delta variant does have the potential to cause an resurgence in cases, Summers says, if people don't follow public health measures, personal health measures or if people delay getting vaccinated.
As of Saturday, 394,467 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in the region, bringing the total number of residents 12 and over with at least one dose to over 73 per cent, and with two doses to nearly 14 per cent.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is reporting the number of inpatients with COVID-19 has dropped to 10. Fewer than five are in critical care, while out-of-region transfers accounts for fewer than five patients in acute care and none critical care.
LHSC continues to deal with an outbreak at University Hospital in the 8TU Transplant Unit, the only ongoing outbreak in the region.
REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – four new, 32 active, 3,867 total, 3,752 resolved, 83 deaths, 793 variants
- Grey-Bruce – three new, 41 active, 1,435 total, 1,387 resolved, seven deaths, 403 variants
- Haldimand-Norfolk – one new, 19 active, 2,697 total, 2,625 resolved, 47 deaths
- Huron-Perth – one new, 10 active, 1,882 total, 1,815 resolved, 57 deaths, 306 variants
- Sarnia-Lambton – five new, 31 active, 3,571 total, 3,478 resolved, 62 deaths, 630 variants
For a third day, Ontario health officials reported fewer than 300 new infections, as the positivity rate fell to 1.2 per cent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.