A man in his 50s is the latest person in the London area to lose their life to COVID-19.
The Middlesex London Health Unit reported the man's death on Wednesday. There have now been 256 deaths related to COVID-19 in London and Middlesex County since the start of the pandmemic.
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 15,555 after 65 new cases were reported Wednesday. The number of active cases climbed above 500 to 511. That marks a five fold increase in the number of active cases over the past month. On November 15, there were 101 active cases in the community.
The London Health Sciences Centre says it is caring for 13 COVID-19 patients, one fewer than Tuesday.
The health unit says there are currently outbreaks at 16 schools in London and Middlesex County. The latest to be added to the list is Sir Arhtur Currie Public School. The outbreak at West Oaks French Immersion Public School was declared over on Tuesday.
Southwestern Public Health, the health unit for Oxford and Elgin counties, reported 26 new cases Wednesday. That brings the total since the start of the pandemic to 5,755. Currently, there are 229 active cases.
Across Ontario, 1,808 new cases and nine deaths on Wednesday. The 7-day average of new cases is now 1,514 per day, up from 1,007 one week ago.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said there are 357 people with COVID-19 in hospital. Of those, 154 are in intensive care. Elliott said the majority are not fully vaccinated.