MLHU reports 10 new COVID-19 cases, rise in Delta variant
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 10 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, ending a five-day streak of single-digit daily counts. No new deaths were reported.
The region now has a total of 12,519 cases and 224 deaths, with 12,237 cases resolved leaving 58 active. There are now 3,439 cases with a variant of concern and another 194 that are mutation positive.
Four new cases of the Delta variant were confirmed Wednesday, bringing the region's total to six.
The health unit says they were all in people ages 18 to 31, none had travelled and they do not appear to be linked to each other. All cases have been resolved.
Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers says, "The Delta variant, first identified in India, is more transmissible and appears to lead to more people in hospital amongst unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals."
In recent months the variant that originated in the U.K., the B.1.1.7 or Alpha variant, has been the dominant strain in the region, but that is expected to change.
"It is fully anticipated that the Delta variant will become the dominant strain within our region. Across the province it is also presumed the dominant strain is the Delta variant in some jurisdictions and we don't be too far behind," Summers adds.
The Delta variant does have the potential to cause an resurgence in cases, Summers says, if people don't follow public health measures, personal health measures or if people delay getting vaccinated.
As of Saturday, 394,467 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in the region, bringing the total number of residents 12 and over with at least one dose to over 73 per cent, and with two doses to nearly 14 per cent.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is reporting the number of inpatients with COVID-19 has dropped to 10. Fewer than five are in critical care, while out-of-region transfers accounts for fewer than five patients in acute care and none critical care.
LHSC continues to deal with an outbreak at University Hospital in the 8TU Transplant Unit, the only ongoing outbreak in the region.
REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – four new, 32 active, 3,867 total, 3,752 resolved, 83 deaths, 793 variants
- Grey-Bruce – three new, 41 active, 1,435 total, 1,387 resolved, seven deaths, 403 variants
- Haldimand-Norfolk – one new, 19 active, 2,697 total, 2,625 resolved, 47 deaths
- Huron-Perth – one new, 10 active, 1,882 total, 1,815 resolved, 57 deaths, 306 variants
- Sarnia-Lambton – five new, 31 active, 3,571 total, 3,478 resolved, 62 deaths, 630 variants
For a third day, Ontario health officials reported fewer than 300 new infections, as the positivity rate fell to 1.2 per cent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
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.
'$6.66 per day': Advocacy groups disheartened by funding in budget for disability benefit
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.
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.
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.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in 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?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
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.