MLHU reports 11 new COVID-19 cases, urges safe Halloween
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 11 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, but no new deaths.
Thursday's count is a slight decrease from the previous two days and leaves the region with a total of 14,451 cases and 245 deaths, with 14,079 cases resolved leaving 127 active.
Of the cases with an episode date in the past six weeks, 68.2 per cent are among the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or those not yet protected by the vaccine. The same group also account for 79.2 per cent of hospitalizations and 75 per cent of deaths.
For the period ending Oct. 23, the 28-day average rate of COVID-19 per 100,000 people over the age of 12 was at 6.3 per cent for those not fully vaccinated versus 1.4 per cent for those fully vaccinated.
MLHU Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers says despite sporadic transmission, the incidence rate remains stable, thanks in part to high vaccination rates.
Still, even though it's considered a low-risk activity, some precautions are necessary for those trick-or-treating or handing out candy this weekend.
"Keep it outdoors as much as possible. If you're not feeling well stay at home, if you're trick-or-treating don't help hand out candy. If you're one of those who are handing out, make sure that masks are worn, avoid crowding and don't shout or yell too much when you're in a crowd," Summers says.
The London Health Sciences Centre, is reporting it is caring for six patients with COVID-19, an increase from the five or fewer cases reported Wednesday.
There are four ongoing outbreaks at area schools; Clara Brenton Public School (one case), Covenant Christian School (five cases), Our Lady of the Pillar Academy (one case) and St. Nicholas Senior Catholic School (three cases).
REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – 10 new, 88 active, 4,644 total, 4,465 resolved, 91 deaths
- Grey-Bruce – one new, 12 active, 2,387 total, 2,348 resolved, 23 deaths
- Haldimand-Norfolk – seven new, 32 active, 3,030 total, 2,943 resolved, 48 deaths
- Huron-Perth – six new, 25 active, 2,315 total, 2,223 resolved, 67 deaths
- Sarnia-Lambton – six new, 52 active, 4,164 total, 4,041 resolved, 71 deaths (one new)
Ontario health officials reported 409 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.
First in Canada procedure performed at London, Ont. hospital
A London man has become the first person in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine. Dave Myeh suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right now and extreme pain in his lower back.