For the third day in a row, the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) reported no new COVID-19 cases Tuesday. The latest results come as 633 tests were processed at London assessment centres Monday.
No new deaths were reported in Middlesex-London, with the total standing at 57. The last person to die of the virus in the region was a woman in her 90s from a retirement home on June 10.
The numbers out of local seniors’ facilities are also looking up with the MLHU reporting no outbreaks at any of the region’s long term or retirement homes.
While the latest results show promise, London Mayor Ed Holder tweeted Tuesday, “Friendly reminder: this is no time to get complacent.”
Based on numbers released today by <a href=”https://twitter.com/MLHealthUnit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@MLHealthUnit</a>, London has now had three straight days with ZERO new cases of <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#COVID19</a>. This is the longest stretch of zeroes we’ve had in <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/LdnOnt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#LdnOnt</a> since the onset of the pandemic. Friendly reminder: this is no time to get complacent.
—@ldnontmayor
The low case counts come as 1,231 people have been swabbed at the Oakridge and Carling Heights assessment centres since Saturday.
Health unit issues mask orders
London’s medical officer of health Dr. Chris Mackie officially issued two orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act Tuesday that will require face coverings to be worn at personal care establishment, and on public transit, taxis and ride shares. The orders will come into effect on July 20.
The province previously mandated employees and patrons to wear masks at establishments such as hair and nail salons on June 11. The order around riding the bus or taking a taxi will require everyone over 12 years of age to wear a face covering, such as a medical or non-medical mask, bandana, scarf or cloth that covers the nose, mouth and chin.
“The reopening of our region has made it more challenging to maintain physical distance in some settings and businesses, increasing the potential for people to come into close contact for periods of time that can lead to a greater risk of COVID-19 transmission,” sais Dr. Mackie in a statement.
“These Orders are being put in place to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks of COVID-19, as we have seen in other Ontario communities, even where the rate of illness was otherwise low.”
Failure to comply with the orders can result in fines up to $5,000. Businesses can be fined up to $25,000 for each day on which an offence occurs.
COVID-19 across the region and beyond
Southwestern Public Health, which covers St. Thomas and Elgin and Oxford counties, reported no new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday. The regional total remained unchanged at 85 cases, with 77 resolved and five deaths.
Across Ontario, 112 new cases were reported Tuesday.
Twenty-eight of Ontario’s 34 public health units reported five or fewer new cases, while 23 of those 28 confirmed no additional cases at all, according to tweets from Minister of Health Christine Elliott.
