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
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
The pros and cons of discussing mental health issues in the workplace
A group of lawyers has written what they call a groundbreaking book about how mental health is perceived in the legal profession.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.