The London-area hit an unfortunate milestone Friday, recording a single-day record high number of new COVID-19 cases.
The Middlesex London Health Unit reported 27 new infections over the last 24 hours. That breaks the previous record high of 25 cases set on October 11. Since the pandemic began, the region has only recorded seven days with more than 20 cases. The single-day spike comes a day after London and Middlesex County confirmed just four infections.
Friday's cases include 13 people under the age of 30, 11 between the ages of 30 and 59, and three 60 or older.
The region's total number of cases now stands at 1,198.
Outbreaks continue at three local seniors’ facilities – Chartwell Royalcliffe Retirement Residence, Henley Place LTC Residence, and Strathmere Lodge.
No additional deaths were reported Friday, leaving the death toll at 62. Five of those deaths occurred since mid-October, the latest on Thursday.
Public health officials said five more people have recovered from the virus increasing the number of recoveries to 1,062 and leaving 74 active cases.
In Elgin and Oxford, the number of cases went up by three on Friday. Southwestern Public Health, the region’s health unit, said the new infections bring the area case count up to 367. The low number of new cases comes a day ahead of a second planned so-called 'freedom march' in Aylmer, which public health officials fear could lead to a spike in infection. The first rally by those against health restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the virus drew 200 people to the town's bandshell. Most were maskless and did not stand 2 metres apart.
“At a stage in the pandemic where cases are not only rising provincially, but rising locally, large gatherings where social distancing is not maintained are not safe,” said Dr. Joyce Lock, the region's medical officer of health, said in a statement earlier this week.
Five more people in Elgin and Oxford recovered from the virus to increase the number of resolved cases to 313. There have been five COVID-19 related deaths in the region. Currently, 49 cases remain active.
For the third time in less than a week, Ontario has logged more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases.
Public health officials reported 1,003 new infections Friday, up from 998 Thursday. That puts the seven day average at a record 996.
Of the new cases, 705 were in the COVID-19 hotspots of Toronto (300), Peel (280) and York Region (125).
The total number of cases in the province has risen to 81,693.
There were an additional 14 deaths linked to the virus across the province to bring the death toll up to 3,209.
The number of resolved cases rose to 70,086 with 949 recoveries reported.
There are currently 380 COVID-19 infected patients in hospitals across the province including 86 in the intensive care unit and 49 on ventilators to breathe.
In the last 24 hour period, nearly 41,300 more COVID-19 tests were processed.
