Parties attended by post-secondary students have led to 22 new cases of COVID, leading the Middlesex London Health Unit to declare a community outbreak.
The health unit announced Thursday that investigators have determined that at least 10 such parties that were held at private homes in London between March 2 and March 6 are linked to the outbreak. They are now working to figure out how many close contacts of the positive cases there are.
"The end of the pandemic may be in sight now that we've started vaccinations, but it doesn't mean that we can let our guard down and stop doing all the things that have helped slow the spread of COVID-19," Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers said in a statement released Thursday. "Now is not the time to open up our home to those who aren't part of our household and it certainly is not the time to start attending parties. COVID-19 is still here and we could very easily slide back to seeing widespread transmission in the community."
The community outbreak comes not even two weeks into the region entering into the orange-restrict level of the COVID-19 framework. During Thursday's media briefing, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie added that there have not been any conversations with the province on whether London-Middlesex will go back or forward one level on the colour zone, but said the third-wave of the virus is just beginning, and could persist into the late spring.
With St. Patrick's Day next Wednesday, there's a risk that numbers could spike again if people attend large gatherings. Mayor Ed Holder says he hopes people will be smart when it comes to celebrating.
"We're asking all Londoners to be mindful. Keep your crowds down, keep your house parties non-existent, use your backyards, go to a bar or restaurant and enjoy a beverage, enjoy comradery and fellowship, but don't do the dumb stuff please," said Holder
In the wake of the outbreak, the health unit is again telling people to wash their hands regularly, cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow, clean high touch areas frequently, continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing, limit interactions to only those who are part of your household, and limit unnecessary trips out of the home.
