Smaller holiday gatherings urged as local COVID-19 cases still rising
The COVID-19 pandemic may once again play the role of holiday Grinch.
Rising case counts and the seemingly inevitable arrival of the Omicron variant have the Middlesex-London Health Unit asking people to keep their gatherings small this December.
“There are no further public health restrictions right now,” Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers told a media briefing. “However, cases are going up (and) it’s the holiday season. It’s time to keep gatherings smaller than you would normally keep them.”
Dr. Summers is watching the effectiveness of recent public health measures enacted in other parts of Ontario including Kingston, Sudbury, and Sault Ste. Marie, and the neighbouring Southwestern Public Health.
“We’ll be monitoring to see which ones are working, and if that will be necessary in our region,” he explains.
Among those smaller group gathering indoors over the holidays, Summers adds that who gets invited may be just as important as how many.
“Please, please, make sure those who you spend time with are fully vaccinated,” said Summers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.