Coronavirus: 1 death, 20 new cases confirmed in London-Middlesex, health unit says

Officials with the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) reported one additional death involving a novel coronavirus patient on Monday, along with 20 newly confirmed cases.

It brings the total number of confirmed cases in London and Middlesex to 234 and the number of deaths to 11.

The health unit also reported that 53 COVID-19 cases had been marked as resolved, bringing that total to 107.

It comes after a weekend that saw health officials report two deaths, 45 new cases and six resolved cases.

Details about the new cases and the three deceased patients were not immediately available.

On Saturday, the LCBO said it had been made aware of a positive diagnosis involving a worker at its location near Oxford and Gammage streets. The employee last worked on April 4 and is at home.

Earlier in the week, Shoppers Drug Mart reported one of its staff members at its Sherwood Mall location had tested positive. The worker hadn’t been in the store since April 6.

At least 31 of the COVID-19 cases confirmed in London and Middlesex have been reported at local long-term care or retirement homes as of Monday, an increase of 11 since Thursday.

Twelve COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared within London and Middlesex — nine at local long-term care and retirement homes.

The most recent outbreak was declared on Saturday at Victoria Hospital on the sixth floor of Zone C (C6-100) in the geriatric behavioural unit, according to London Health Sciences Centre.

Earlier this month, a COVID-19 outbreak was declared on the fifth floor of University Hospital in inpatient cardiology.

Outbreaks have also been declared on SM5 of Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care, St. Joseph’s Hospice, Sprucedale Care Centre, Meadow Park Care Centre, Earls Court Village, Kensington Village, Chelsey Park, Seasons Strathroy, Grandwood Park and Henley Place.

There have been at least 89 COVID-19 outbreaks reported in long-term care homes across the province, with 741 residents and 430 staff members infected.

At least 120 residents have died in those outbreaks, or 41 per cent of all of the deaths in the province.

Provincially, Ontario reported 421 new COVID-19 cases on Monday and 17 deaths. It brings the province to a total of 7,470 cases, including 291 deaths and 3,357 cases that have been resolved.

The case number increased by six per cent over Sunday’s total, continuing a relatively low growth rate over the past several days.

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Across Ontario, the number of patients in hospital — 760 — rose slightly Monday, but rates of patients in intensive care and on ventilators remained relatively stable.

More than 800 health-care workers have tested positive for COVID-19, about 11 per cent of the total number of cases.

Nationally, more than 24,700 cases had been confirmed across Canada as of late Monday morning, including just over 7,000 recovered cases and 734 deaths.

Elgin and Oxford

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.

Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.

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