There are now almost six times as many active cases of COVID-19 in London and Middlesex County as there was one month ago.
The surge in new cases continued Friday, as the Middlesex London Health Unit reported 116 new cases. The number of active cases has now reached 638. On November 17, that figure was 110.
Fortunately, no deaths were reported by the health unit on Friday. COVID-19 has claimed 257 lives since the start of the pandemic.
The London Health Sciences Centre says it is caring for 14 COVID-19 patients, an increase of one from Thursday. The hospital says five or fewer are in intensive care.
The health unit says there are currently outbreaks at 16 schools in London and Middlesex County. The latest to be added to the list are the London Christian Academy and is École élémentaire La Pommeraie. An outbreak at Delaware Central School has been declared over.
Southwestern Public Health, the health unit for Oxford and Elgin counties, reported 36 new cases Wednesday. That brings the total since the start of the pandemic to 5,836. Currently, there are 234 active cases.
Across Ontario, 3,124 new cases and nine deaths on Friday. That's more than double the number reported the previous Friday.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said there are 358 people with COVID-19 in hospital. Of those, 157 are in intensive care.