MIDDLESEX CENTRE, ONT. —
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 43 new COVID-19 cases Thursday and two new deaths.
The new cases mark the second-highest daily case count the region has since the pandemic began in March, just shy of the record 46 cases set on Wednesday. The previous record was set just the day before that, with 38 cases.
Two new deaths, both men in their 80s, were also reported, at least one is believed to be associated with the outbreak at the London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) University Hospital, bringing the total number of deaths there to 10.
The new totals in the region stand at 1,737 cases, 1,414 resolved and 74 deaths, leaving 249 active cases.
Earlier in the week, MLHU Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie said if daily numbers continued as they are, it was likely the region could be moved from yellow-protect to orange-restrict as soon as next week.
A decision on the region’s level under Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework is likely to be made known by the province on Friday afternoon.
The health unit has already advised area residents to skip festive gatherings and find alternative ways to see family this holiday season.
The biggest contributor to the daily totals in recent weeks have been cases associated with ongoing outbreaks at University Hospital.
As of Thursday, hospital officials report 62 patients and 46 staff, for a total of 108, have tested positive for COVID-19 associated with the outbreaks. That total does not include cases among close contacts.
That’s 11 more cases than the health unit reported on Wednesday.
Meanwhile the hospital says that as of Thursday there remain 46 patients and 45 staff still currently positive for COVID-19.
There are also ongoing outbreaks in a unit at the Parkwood Institute, a kindergarten class at St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School and two Western University residences.
Here is where the cases stand in the region based on the most recent publicly available data:
- Elgin-Oxford – seven new, 63 active, 582 total, 512 resolved, seven deaths
- Haldimand-Norfolk – one new, 40 active, 666 total, 588 resolved, 32 deaths
- Sarnia-Lambton – four new, 16 active, 417 total, 376 resolved, 25 deaths
- Grey-Bruce – six new, 35 active, 344 total, 309 resolved, no deaths
- Huron-Perth – 18 new, 52 active, 362 total, 292 resolved, 18 deaths
Ontario reported 1,824 new cases Thursday, an increase over the past few days, but provincial health officials say the number may be slightly skewed due to a data processing error.
