A woman is given a nasal swab test for COVID-19. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / dolgachovA woman is given a nasal swab test for COVID-19. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / dolgachov
London

Middlesex London reports 94 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths

For the second time this week, the number of new COVID-19 cases in the London region has dipped below 100.

The Middlesex London Health Unit reported 94 new infections on Thursday, down from 120 the previous day. The only other day this week daily cases have been in the double digits was Tuesday when 79 infections were confirmed.

The region's total case count is now 4,804 with 1,451 of those reported since the start of the year.

Two additional deaths were recorded on Thursday. Public health officials said a man in his 80s who lived in long-term care and a man in his 70s who did not reside in an assisted living facility were the latest to die from the virus.

Their deaths bring the death toll up to 136. There has been at least one death reported every day since December 31.

The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) continues to report an outbreak on two units at Victoria Hospital. Less than five patients and staff members on both the geriatric behavioral unit and B41 antenatal unit have contracted the virus. There are no deaths associated with the outbreaks. The LHSC currently has 35 inpatients with COVID-19, 14 of those patients are listed in intensive care. Twenty-eight staff members have tested positive.

Fourteen local long-term care and retirement homes are dealing with outbreaks. The initiative to vaccinate all long-term care residents and staff has been ramped up with the province working to get those inoculations done by February 15. The push to get the shots into the arms of the elderly and employees of those facilities has led the LHSC to pause vaccinations for hospital staff.

Resolved cases in the area went up by 65 to 3,277 over the past 24 hours. There are currently 1,391 active cases in the region.

In Elgin and Oxford, there were 55 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths reported. Southwestern Public Health said that brings the total case count to 1,920 and increases the death toll to 39. Recoveries are up to 1,512.

Maple Manor Nursing Home in Tillsonburg continues to battle a significant outbreak. Eighty residents and 48 staff members have been infected and 13 people have died. PeopleCare Tavistock has 40 residents and 33 employees with COVID-19. Seven deaths have also been linked to that outbreak.

Currently, there are 369 active COVID-19 cases in the two counties.

Ontario's daily COVID-19 case count is back above 3,000.

Public health officials reported 3,326 infections on Thursday after two days in the 2,000s. Cases Wednesday and Tuesday sat at 2,961 and 2,903.

Toronto again logged the most new cases with 968. Peel followed with 572. York Region recorded 357 and Windsor-Essex had 268.

The province's total case count stands at 228,310.

Sixty-two more COVID-19 related deaths were reported across Ontario Thursday, 29 of which were among long-term care home residents. The death toll since the start of the pandemic is 5,189.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus is 1,657. Of those, 388 are in the intensive care unit and 280 are on ventilators

More than 71,000 tests were processed over the past 24 hours. Ontario’s positivity rate is down slightly at 5.1 per cent.

Ontario's stay-at-home order took effect on Thursday, with an emergency alert being broadcast to remind people they can only leave their homes for essential purposes. Tasks considered to be essential include grocery shopping, medical appointments, and outdoor exercise.

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