Coronavirus: 2 deaths, 17 new cases reported in London-Middlesex
Two more people have died and 17 others have tested positive for novel coronavirus, officials with the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) said Monday, while health officials in Huron-Perth and Sarnia-Lambton reported one death each.
It brings the total number of cases in London and Middlesex to 323 and the number of deaths to 22. The health unit says 138 people have recovered, a figure unchanged from Sunday.
One of the deaths was reported in a local long-term care home, while one other case was reported at a retirement home involving a resident, according to MLHU figures. No other information has been released.
The region’s long-term care homes have seen 51 cases of COVID-19, involving 33 residents and 18 staff as well as eight deaths. Meanwhile, 29 cases involving 22 residents and seven staff have been recorded at local retirement homes.
It comes on the heels of a weekend that saw four deaths reported, all involving local long-term care homes, as well as 24 new cases confirmed, six involving long-term care homes and four involving retirement homes.
Fourteen COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared in London and Middlesex as of Sunday afternoon, the most recent on Friday at Sisters of St. Joseph.
At least 10 of the outbreaks have been at local long-term care and retirement homes, including Grand Wood Park Retirement Residence, where officials on Friday reported that 14 residents had tested positive.
Those are in addition to the two positive cases reported at the facility in late March involving two staff members. The home’s remaining 39 residents were tested on Friday, said Revera, the company that operates Grand Wood Park, with test results expected this week.
Elsewhere, outbreaks have also been reported at Horizon Place, Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care (St. Mary’s 5th Floor), Sprucedale Care Centre, Earls Court Village, Meadow Park Care Centre, Kensington Village, Seasons Strathroy, and Henley Place.
One outbreak, declared April 2 at Chelsey Park, was marked resolved as of April 14.
Since the start of the pandemic, at least 114 outbreaks have been declared at Ontario long-term care homes. At least 1,317 residents, and 644 staff have been confirmed positive, while 250 people have died, including 249 residents and one staff.
Locally, outbreaks also remain active as of Sunday at St. Joseph’s Hospice, on the sixth floor of Zone C at Victoria Hospital (C6-100) and on the fifth floor of University Hospital in inpatient cardiology.
Provincially, Ontario reported 606 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the largest single-day increase, and 31 new deaths.
Despite the large increase, the new total of 11,184 cases is just 5.7 per cent higher than the day before, continuing a relatively low growth trend. The total includes 584 deaths and 5,515 resolved cases.
The number of people in hospital confirmed to have COVID-19 and those on a ventilator went down slightly, while the number of people in intensive care remained stable.
Ontario health officials released updated COVID-19 modelling on Monday, saying the community spread of COVID-19 in Ontario appears to have peaked.
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Earlier modelling predicted a peak in May, but officials say restrictions including physical distancing have pushed the peak to now.
The latest modelling released today shows there are two types of outbreaks happening: community spread and long-term care spread.
The modellers say spread in long-term care and other congregate settings seems to be growing.
They also predict there will be fewer than 20,000 COVID-19 cases during the pandemic, much less than the previous forecast of 80,000.
Nationally, the number of people confirmed positive across Canada stood at more than 35,600 as of early Monday afternoon, including more than 12,100 recoveries and more than 1,600 deaths.
Elgin and Oxford
Health officials with Southwestern Public Health reported no new cases or deaths on Monday, and say one more person has recovered.
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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