Health officials have reported 21 new COVID-19 cases in the London region, bringing the total number of cases to 134.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) didn’t report new deaths on Sunday. However, the death toll across the province continues to rise, with a total of 135 to date.
Intake numbers from the London Health Sciences Centre say 22 patients have been admitted to hospital for COVID-19 and 10 of them are in critical care.
This weekend, the region saw its biggest spike in COVID-19 cases. There have been a total of 42 new cases reported on Saturday and Sunday combined.
“We’re right inside the pandemic wave now,” said Dr. Chris Mackie, the medical officer of health for the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “We will see more cases over the next few weeks and it’s not clear how long it will last before it comes down again, but it could be some time still.”
On Saturday, health unit also reported two more deaths, bringing the total up to five.
“It’s up to all of us and stay home so we can protect each other,” Dr. Mackie added.
Seven seniors’ facilities hit with virus
Meanwhile, three more seniors’ facilities in the area have reported COVID-19 outbreaks.
“It’s concerning that we are seeing coronavirus in long-term care homes,” Dr. Mackie said.
According to records released by the health unit Sunday, there are a total of seven outbreaks at seniors’ facilities in the London region. An outbreak is declared when at least one resident or staff member in a facility tests positive for the virus.
“Those folks are at high risk of having a bad outcome from coronavirus, so we are working closely with them to make sure they have the appropriate protocols, equipment and layout to try and reduce the spread in these settings,” said Dr. Mackie.
Seniors’ facilities with outbreaks have been isolating sick residents, and are trying to ensure staff refrain from going to work at other facilities, Dr. Mackie added.
There are at least 36 outbreaks in long-term care homes across Ontario, and at least 54 people have died as a result.
Cases in surrounding counties continue to rise
Grey Bruce is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 in the area, bringing their total to 21.
Health officials said a woman in her 40s and a man in his 50s have contracted the virus. Both patients are self-isolating. Details on how either of them contracted the virus are pending.
On Saturday, Elgin County reported one new case, bringing the total of cases in Elgin and Oxford counties to 21.
Huron-Perth public health officials are only providing updates on weekdays. As of Friday, they reported a total of 17 cases.
