MLHU reports 22 new COVID-19 cases, but high staff vaccine uptake
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 22 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, and a concerning rise in cases among pediatric patients.
The region now has a total of 13,885 cases and 238 deaths, with 13,443 cases resolved leaving 204 active. There are 4,232 cases with a variant of concern.
Over the last six weeks, 82.3 per cent of cases have been among the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or those not yet protected by vaccination. The same group accounts for 88.2 per cent of hospitalizations and 85.7 per cent of deaths.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) reports it is has 11 inpatients with COVID-19 with fewer than five in critical care. Five or fewer staff have tested positive.
There are four ongoing outbreaks in the region, at St. Thomas More Catholic School, École élémentaire La Pommeraie, Oakcrossing Retirement Living and Earls Court Village nursing home.
Over the last 10 days, 29 cases have been reported at 22 schools and child care centres.
The health unit says they have seen a worrying rise in cases among the pediatric population, but it is not connected to the return to school.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie said, "We've had new data showing significantly high rates of COVID in young people, in particular children age zero to 11 and aged 12 to 17, I need to be very clear -- these are not related to school opening."
MLHU also revealed Thursday that 99 per cent of permanent health unit staff have had at least on dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 96 per cent are fully vaccinated. Among all employees, over 90 per cent have at least one dose.
REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – two new, 50 active, 4,241 total, 4,105 resolved, 86 deaths
- Grey-Bruce – one new, 17 active, 2,306 total, 2,263 resolved, 22 deaths
- Haldimand-Norfolk – five new, 32 active, 2,902 total, 2,816 resolved, 48 deaths
- Huron-Perth – three new, 72 active, 2,129 total, 2,037 resolved, 65 deaths
- Sarnia-Lambton – 12 new, 59 active, 3,796 total, 3,668 resolved, 69 deaths
Ontario health officials reported 677 new COVID-19 infections Thursday, the fourth day in a row of counts below 700.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sits out 3rd straight game to open the playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sat out his third straight game to open the playoffs Wednesday night because of an undisclosed injury.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.