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Forty-five people have tested positive for the coronavirus while another 19 have recovered, the Middlesex-London Health Unit reported Monday.
The jump brings the region’s total case count to 1,864, of which 1,482 people have recovered. Seventy-six deaths have been reported since the pandemic began, most recently on Saturday involving a man in his 60s whose death was linked to a severe outbreak at University Hospital that has left at least 13 dead and infected more than 130 since Nov. 10.
Monday’s tally is now the second-highest single-day case jump the region has seen. The current record is 46, set on Dec. 1.
There are 306 active cases in the region, more than any other time during the pandemic.
Since last Monday, London and Middlesex has seen at least five days with more than 30 new cases reported. Three of those days — including Monday — saw more than 40 cases.
The health unit says the region has recorded at least 217 cases since Dec. 1, more than were recorded in each of the months of March, May, June, July, August and September. The month with the largest number of cases reported, so far, was November with 503.
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As of Monday, the region is in the orange-restrict level of the province’s COVID-19 Response Framework, meaning tougher restrictions for businesses and other public spaces.
Further details on what restrictions a move to orange-restrict brings can be found in the framework document.
Of the 45 cases reported Monday, 42 are from London. One is from Strathroy-Caradoc, one is from Thames Centre, and one case location is still pending.
Those infected include every age bracket tracked by the health unit, with the largest age representation involving people in their 20s, 30s and 50s.
Five individuals are aged 19 or younger, 12 are in their 20s, nine are in their 30s, four are in their 40s, nine are in their 50s, four are in their 60s, and one each are in their 70s and 80 or older.
The health unit says at least 16 contracted the virus through close contact with a confirmed case, while seven have “outbreak” listed as their exposure source. Nineteen cases have their exposure sources listed as pending or undetermined, while three have no known link.
At least 10 cases are linked to the deadly outbreak at University Hospital, however that number may rise as health unit staff conduct case followups in the coming days.
According to the health unit, 1,732 cases have been reported in London since the pandemic began, while 40 have been in Strathroy-Caradoc, 37 in Middlesex Centre and 33 in Thames Centre.
Lucan Biddulph has seen 10, North Middlesex eight, Southwest Middlesex two and Newbury one.
The region’s seven-day average for new cases stands at 34.14 as of Monday. The 14-day average stands at 25.21.
The region’s test per cent positivity rate was 1.6 per cent as of the week of Nov. 22, the most recent figures available.
Hospitalizations
London Health Sciences Centre reported that at least 56 inpatients with COVID-19 were in its care as of Monday, the highest number of concurrent COVID-19 patients the organization has seen at any one time during the pandemic.
Monday’s tally is seven higher than the 49 COVID-19 inpatients LHSC reported in its last update on Friday. It’s not clear how many are linked to the large outbreak at University Hospital.
In addition, LHSC says at least six are in critical care/intensive care, the same as Friday.
The number of active staff cases at LHSC stands at 46 as of Monday, one higher than Friday. Most, if not all, are linked to the University Hospital outbreak.
It’s not clear how many COVID-19 inpatients are being admitted to LHSC per day as such data is not readily available. Data obtained from the province late last month by Global News only listed how many active COVID-19 inpatients were in the care of LHSC on a given day since March, not how many were admitted on a given day.
St. Joseph’s Health Care London, meanwhile, reported no active COVID-19 patients in its care as of Monday, and said there was one active case among its staff as of Sunday.
The provincial data showed that the hospital has not recorded more than four COVID-19 patients in its care at any given time during the pandemic.
According to the health unit, at least 200 people have been admitted to the hospital due to the coronavirus during the pandemic, including 41 who have needed intensive care.
Institutional outbreaks
Presently, the only active institutional outbreaks in the region are located at University Hospital.
The latest outbreak was declared on Dec. 5 in 5IP Cardiology and the cardiology offices on the sixth floor of the hospital, the health unit says. Fewer than five people have tested positive.
The outbreak is separate from a large and deadly outbreak that has overwhelmed the hospital for the last month.
That outbreak, first declared Nov. 10 in 4IP General Medicine, has continued to spread since, leaving more than 130 sickened, including 13 who have since died, according to the health unit and London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).
LHSC reported Monday that at least 71 patients have tested positive due to the outbreak, in addition to at least 60 staff members and health-care providers. Health officials last week said they had also determined the outbreak has been tied to “dozens of cases” in the broader community.
The outbreak has impacted at least six units of the hospital, including 4TU Multi-Organ Transplant Unit, 6IP Acute/Decant Medicine, 6IP Cardiovascular Surgery, 9IP Sub-Acute Medicine and 10IP Palliative Care/Sub-Acute Medicine.
The hospital was also the scene of a separate, smaller outbreak in 9IP Orthopedics that was declared Nov. 11. That outbreak, linked to six cases, is no longer active.
Non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries remain postponed at the hospital, while ambulatory or outpatient activity remains reduced to only urgent matters.
The health unit’s investigation into the Nov. 10 outbreak found there had been breaches when it came to the implementation of personal protective equipment (PPE) among staff and physical distancing protocols, health officials said last week — findings that were confirmed by LHSC’s CEO on Friday.
“I want to emphasize that I’m not assigning blame,” Dr. Paul Woods said. “Our staff and physicians have been vigilant and dedicated in their provision of safe patient care since day one of this pandemic. But we are human, we are fallible and we are tired. While regrettable, I can say with certainty there was never a breach intended to cause harm.”
Rumours about a potluck or potlucks at the hospital were found to be baseless, he said.
Since March, the region has seen at least 56 institutional outbreaks in London and Middlesex, including at least 40 at local seniors’ facilities.
Schools
The number of active school cases in London and Middlesex stands at 17 after 11 cases were reported Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Most recently, four cases were reported on Sunday at C.C. Carrothers Public School, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School, Westminster Secondary School and Westmount Public School.
It’s not clear if the cases involve staff or students.
Active cases also remain at the following schools:
- One student case is active at John Paul II Catholic Secondary School.
- Two student cases are active at St. Marguerite d’Youville School. A class outbreak has since been declared by the health unit.
- One student case is active at Stoney Creek Public School involving one student.
- Two cases are active at Ashley Oaks Public School.
- One student case is active at London Central Secondary School.
- One case is active at Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School.
- One case is active at Ryerson Public School.
- Three cases are active at Sir Arthur Currie Public School.
- Two cases are active at Westminster Secondary School.
- One case is active at Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School.
The region has recorded at least 62 school cases since the start of September.
At Western University, two outbreaks remain active at Perth Hall and Saugeen Maitland-Hall student residences. Late last week, health officials said the outbreaks would likely be declared over soon.
- Nov. 13 at Académie de la Tamise involving one staff member.
- Nov. 14 at Sir Arthur Carty Catholic School involving one student.
- Nov. 19 at Saunders Secondary School involving one student.
- Nov. 20 at Providence Reformed Collegiate.
- Nov. 20 at Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School involving one student.
- Nov. 21 and 22 at Catholic Central High School involving two students.
- Nov. 23 at Lord Dorchester Secondary School involving one student.
Testing
At least 8,055 people were tested for the coronavirus during the week of Nov. 22, according to the most recent testing figures issued by the health unit.
The tally was slightly higher than the 7,624 reported the week prior.
The region’s test per cent positivity rate stood at 1.6 per cent as of the week of Nov. 22, up from 1.3 per cent the week before.
New data is expected to be released this week.
The city’s two dedicated assessment centres, Carling Heights and Oakridge Arena, continue to operate normally, both by appointment only.
Carling Heights has seen an uptick in visits over the last week, recording an average of 428 visits over five days from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, up from 381 between Nov. 23 and 27.
At Oakridge Arena, numbers have been largely stable. The centre recorded a five-day average of 319 visits from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 compared to 318 between Nov. 23 and 27.
Appointment testing for certain asymptomatic people is also continuing at eight local pharmacies.
Ontario
Ontario reported 1,925 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and 26 deaths related to the virus.
That’s a record high for new cases of the novel coronavirus in the province, topping Sunday’s daily total by one.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says there are 601 new cases in Toronto, 512 in Peel Region and 167 in York Region.
She also says there are 1,412 more resolved cases since the last daily update and nearly 45,300 tests completed in that time.
Monday’s daily update brings Ontario to a total of 129,234 COVID-19 cases, 109,402 resolved and 3,798 deaths.
In addition to London and Middlesex, two other Ontario regions are seeing tighter public health restrictions.
Thunder Bay is also moving into the orange zone, while the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit moves to yellow.
The measures will remain in place for at least 28 days.
— With files from The Canadian Press
Elgin and Oxford
Nine people have tested positive for the coronavirus, Southwestern Public Health reported Monday.
It brings the region’s total case tally to 640, of which 530 have recovered, unchanged from the day before. At least eight deaths have been reported, most recently on Friday involving a man in his 80s.
At least 102 cases are currently active in the region. Of those, 55 are in Oxford County while 47 are in Elgin County. Twenty-three cases are active in Woodstock, 22 are active in St. Thomas, and 19 are active in Aylmer.
No people were hospitalized as of Thursday, the most recent update available, the health unit said.
At least 29 have been admitted to hospital due to the virus since the pandemic began, including 14 who have needed intensive care.
The region is currently in the orange-restrict tier of the province’s framework.
Last week, the region’s medical officer of health, Dr. Joyce Lock, said the numbers the health unit has been seeing recently — including a record 19-case jump on Friday — is “predictive of a move to” the red tier of the framework.
In an open letter Monday, the health unit urged residents to “conserve our energy for the long months ahead, rather than spend it in disagreement” over public health measures, such as mask mandates.
“As communities and as individuals, we have choices to make. We can choose to meet our neighbours with patience and understanding. We can choose compassion for those who are struggling during this difficult time; we can choose self-compassion if we find ourselves in difficulty.”
The letter called on residents to focus on things they can agree on, such as a desire to protect the community, and personally engaging in actions that will reduce the spread of the virus.
No new school cases were reported Monday in the region.
At least four cases are currently active:
- One case is active at Springbank Public School in Woodstock involving a student.
- One case is active at East Elgin Secondary School in Aylmer involving a student.
- One case is active at Se. Joseph’s Catholic High School in St. Thomas.
- One case is active at Glendale High School in Tillsonburg.
One case at Forest Park Public School in St. Thomas and a previous case at East Elgin Secondary School, both involving students, have been resolved.
The region has seen at least 17 school cases reported since the start of September.
One institutional outbreak is active in the region, according to the health unit.
The outbreak, declared on Saturday, is located at Terrace Lodge, and is linked to one staff case. It’s the second outbreak to be recorded at the facility, after an outbreak July 31 involving one staff member.
An outbreak at Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock, linked to one staff case, has been resolved.
At least 11 institutional outbreaks have been declared at nine facilities, linked to at least 21 cases.
The health unit now says at least one death has been linked to an outbreak, specifically, the outbreak declared Nov. 12 at Bethany Care Home in Norwich, which saw three resident cases and one staff case.
Woodstock has seen the largest number of cases overall at 136, while Aylmer has seen 133, recording an incidence rate of 1,775 cases per 100,000 people.
Elsewhere, Bayham has seen 83 cases, St. Thomas 82, Tillsonburg 49, Norwich Township 44, Ingersoll 34, Blandford-Blenheim 15, East Zorra-Tavistock 13, and Dutton/Dunwich, South-West Oxford and Zorra 11 apiece.
Four other municipalities have recorded case totals under 10.
As of the week of Nov. 22, the region had a test per cent positivity rate of 1.3 per cent. About 4,183 people were tested that week.
Huron and Perth
One person has died and 16 others have tested positive, Huron Perth Public Health reported on Monday in its first update since Friday.
The health unit also reported 13 recoveries.
It brings the region’s total case count to 393, of which 323 have recovered and 19 have died.
Fifty-one cases are currently active, with at least six currently in hospital, according to the health unit.
Details about the deceased were not immediately available. Prior, the most recent death had been reported on Nov. 28 involving a resident of Cedarcroft Place, a retirement home in Stratford.
Of Monday’s cases, six are from North Perth, four are from Stratford, three are from Perth East, and one each is from Bluewater, Goderich, and North Huron.
The region remains in the orange-restrict tier of the province’s restrictions framework.
At least two new school cases were reported over the weekend in the region, according to the Avon Maitland District School Board.
One case was reported Dec. 5 at F. E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham, while one case was reported Dec. 6 at Listowel District Secondary School.
It’s unclear if the cases involve staff or students.
At least 11 school cases remain active in the region, in addition to one case involving a school board employee at Avon Maitland.
In addition to the two aforementioned cases, cases remain at the following schools:
- Two cases at St. Ambrose Catholic Elementary School, both involving students.
- Five cases at St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School involving four students and one staff member. A school outbreak has since been declared. The school remains open.
- One case at Central Huron Secondary School.
- One case at Northside Christian School involving a staff member. An outbreak declaration remained active as of Monday.
An outbreak remains active in the medicine unit of Stratford General Hospital, with at least two staff cases reported.
The outbreak was declared Dec. 3.
Elsewhere, an outbreak has been declared at Seaforth Manor linked to one staff case, and Cedarcroft Place, linked to 50 resident cases, 24 staff cases, and at least 11 resident deaths.
None of the 16 cases reported Monday appeared to be linked to the outbreak, which was first declared on Oct. 27.
Including the hospital outbreak, a total of 17 institutional outbreaks have been declared at 14 facilities in Huron and Perth during the pandemic, linked to 107 cases and 15 deaths, including 11 at Cedarcroft and four at Greenwood Court in the spring.
At least 160 cases have been in Perth County, while 151 cases and at least 15 deaths have been in Stratford.
Elsewhere, 74 cases have been in Huron County, while eight cases and one death have been in St. Marys.
As of the week of Nov. 22, the region’s test per cent positivity rate was 1.7 per cent. At least 3,529 people got tested that week.
A total of 60,839 have been tested during the pandemic.
Sarnia and Lambton
Two people have recovered, Lambton Public Health reported Monday.
No new cases were reported, keeping the region’s total case tally at 427, of which 382 have recovered and 25 have died. The most recent death was reported in early June.
It leaves 20 known active cases in the region.
No COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized at Bluewater Health, the hospital reported.
The region is currently in the yellow-protect tier of the province’s restrictions framework.
One outbreak is currently active in the county, according to the health unit.
The outbreak was declared Dec. 3 at an unspecified workplace and has been linked to two cases.
No other information has been released by health officials. It’s not clear where the workplace is, or what type of workplace it is.
A total of 14 have been declared since March — 10 at seniors’ facilities, three at workplaces and one at Bluewater Health — linked to 117 cases and 16 deaths.
Two outbreaks earlier in the pandemic at Landmark Village and Vision Nursing Home, both in Sarnia, are linked to a vast majority of those cases, and all 16 deaths.
No new school cases have been reported, according to local school boards.
Two cases remain active at Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School in Sarnia, both involving students, according to the province. The cases are the third and fourth to be seen at the school after two student cases were reported in October.
The cases are the only school cases currently active.
At least 10 school cases have been reported in the county, all involving students.
As of the week of Nov. 22, the region had a weekly test per cent positivity rate of 0.49 per cent. About 2,623 people were tested that week. At least 58,284 people have been tested in total.
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