MLHU reports 33 new infections Wednesday, active cases identified at five new schools

This graph from the Middlesex-London Health Unit shows COVID-19 cases by reported date and the seven-day average as of Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021.

Middlesex Centre, Ont. -

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 33 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, but no new deaths.

Wednesday's total is a steep jump from Tuesday, when just seven new cases were reported. It is the highest daily total since a spike that saw 49 cases reported Aug. 21.

The region now has a total of 13,697 cases and 237 deaths, with 13,266 cases resolved leaving 194 active. There are 4,123 cases with a variant of concern.

For the week ending Sept. 11, Middlesex-London has a per cent positivity rate of 2.2 per cent, just below the province at 3.4 per cent.

Of the cases reported over the last six weeks, 83 per cent are among the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. The same group accounts for more than 96 per cent of hospitalizations and nearly 67 per cent of deaths.

The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) reports it is has seven inpatients with COVID-19 with fewer than five in adult critical care, fewer than five in Children's Hospital and fewer than five staff testing positive.

There are no outbreaks at London-area schools, though 13 cases have been confirmed at eight schools according to the MLHU.

However Wednesday evening the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) announced they had identified cases at five additional schools. The schools include Blenheim District Public School, Central Elgin Collegiate Institute, Northdale Public School (Woodstock), Parkside Collegiate Institute, and Stoney Creek Public School.

All schools remain open and close contacts have been contacted or are in the process of being contacted.

REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS

Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:

• Elgin-Oxford – 10 new, 60 active, 4,174 total, 4,029 resolved, 85 deaths
• Grey-Bruce – one new, 20 active, 2,284 total, 2,238 resolved, 22 deaths
• Haldimand-Norfolk – three new, 23 active, 2,867 total, 2,790 resolved, 48 deaths
• Huron-Perth – five new, 28 active, 2,092 total, 2,000 resolved, 64 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton – none new, 29 active, 3,729 total, 3,631 resolved, 69 deaths

Ontario health officials reported 593 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday and five deaths.