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London

Six more cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the London-area

Two more people confirmed to have COVID-19 in the London area have been hospitalized.

The Middlesex London Health Unit reported six newly confirmed cases in the region on Monday. A woman in her 90s and a woman in her 20s are among them. Both women have been hospitalized and how they acquired the virus is listed as “pending” on the health unit’s website.

Two of the other new cases are associated with travel and involved men – one in his 20s and another in his 40s. Both are in self-isolation. Two other men, both in their 20s, have also contracted the virus, although it is not yet known how. They are in self-isolation as well.

The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the London-area now sits at 37.

The London Health Sciences Centre said as of Monday it has six patients battling COVID-19, including four in its intensive care units - three at Victoria Hospital and one at University hospital.

Ontario has once again set another single-day record for the number of new cases of the virus reported in the province. Public health officials stated there are 352 new cases, bringing the provincial total since the outbreak began to 1,706. That number includes 23 COVID-19 related deaths and 431 resolved cases.

According to new data from the Ontario government, 61.4 per cent of the cases are from the Greater Toronto Area and 26.3 per cent of the cases are in people who had travelled in the 14 days prior to becoming ill. Exposure information is still pending on 47.9 per cent of the cases.

Roughly 10 per cent of those who tested positive in the province have had to be hospitalized.

As efforts to flatten the curve continue across the province, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams again urged people to do more to stop the virus' spread.

"Everyone has a role to play in reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 -- there is no option for anyone to opt-out," Williams said in a statement issued to the public. "The lives of many Ontarians, especially our community's most vulnerable citizens, is in your hands and will depend on your actions over the coming days and weeks."

Williams recommends Ontarians stay home except for essential reasons such as accessing health care services, shopping for groceries, picking up medication from the pharmacy, and walking pets when required. He stressed that it is mandatory for all individuals returning from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days and "strongly" recommended everyone over the age of 70 self-isolate.

"Where possible, you should seek services over the phone or internet or ask for help from friends, family or neighbours with essential errands. This also applies to individuals who have compromised immune systems and/or underlying medical conditions," said Williams.

Anyone who believes they may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 is advised to call Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000 or use the government-provided online self-assessment tool.

"We need to remember that we all have an obligation to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to our families, friends, neighbours, and communities. Please do not underestimate the impact that your actions will have in helping to stop the spread of this virus," said Williams.

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