MLHU urging faster vaccination as new COVID-19 cases jump
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 26 new COVID-19 cases, but no new deaths Wednesday.
The count marks a steep jump in cases, after just seven cases on Tuesday. It is also the first time in two weeks daily cases have exceeded 25.
The region now has a total of 12,475 cases and 223 deaths, with 12,137 cases resolved leaving 115 active. There are now 3,383 cases with a variant of concern.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is reporting 19 inpatients with COVID-19. Ten of those are in critical care, while out-of-region transfers accounts for fewer than five patients in acute care and critical care, and fewer than five staff members are positive.
The only active outbreak in the region is at LHSC's University Hospital in the 8TU Transplant Unit.
Starting Wednesday, anyone who received their first vaccine dose on or before May 9, can begin re-booking an earlier second dose appointment. That is in addition to all adults 70 and over, all Indigenous residents and those with specific health conditions.
Health officials are reminding people the minimum time between doses for those who first received Pfizer or Moderna is 28 days, while the interval is eight weeks for those who received AstraZeneca as their first dose.
In a statement, MLHU Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie said, "Regardless of what you received for your first dose, Pfizer and Moderna are both excellent options for a second dose, and clients will receive the vaccine that is available…AstraZeneca is also a great second dose option for those who received it for their first dose.”
As the Delta variant becomes more prevalent, any available mRNA vaccine is being recommended to accelerate second doses.
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – five new, 26 active, 3,843 total, 3,734 resolved, 83 deaths, 781 variants
- Grey-Bruce – two new, 42 active, 1,397 total, 1,348 resolved, seven deaths, 398 variants (first Delta variant)
- Haldimand-Norfolk – three new, 32 active, 2,690 total, 2,605 resolved, 47 deaths
- Huron-Perth – five new, 21 active, 1,867 total, 1,789 resolved, 57 deaths, 298 variants
- Sarnia-Lambton – two new, 24 active, 3,552 total, 3,466 resolved, 62 deaths, 620 variants
Across Ontario, more than 350 new cases were reported Wednesday, after a significant drop on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.