The case count from a COVID-19 outbreak at two separate downtown London bars continues to grow.
The Middlesex London Health Unit confirmed on Monday there are now 26 primary cases and four secondary infections associated with the outbreak at Delilah’s at 209 John St. and 14 infections are tied to Lost Love Social House at 153 Carling St.
The new case total comes after four new cases were identified at Lost Love and one new case was linked to Delilah's over the weekend.
"Nightclubs and bars remain higher risk activities and I would strongly discourage anybody who is unvaccinated from attending," said Dr. Alex Summers, the region's associate medical officer of health. "High risk activities clearly include close contacts amongst groups, particularly when people are unvaccinated. The mixing of unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals will result in transmission, even to those who are fully vaccinated."
The outbreak at Delilah’s was declared on August 15 and initially involved 15 patrons who were there between August 5 and 7. Several of those involved attended a private gathering at a residence, in addition to the bar, while infectious, health investigators determined. Three days after that outbreak came to light, another was declared at Lost Love. At the time, there were just five people who tested positive after attending the Carling Street establishment on the evening of August 7 into the early morning of August 8.
"We are monitoring this very closely. We have also made sure the province is aware of where we are seeing outbreaks," said Summers. "We will be working with that sector as we have been to look at other preventive ways to try to ensure that services can remain as operational as possible."
The downtown bar scene isn't the only sector dealing with an increase in COVID-19 spread. An outbreak was declared at the Total Package Hockey day camp in London last Friday.
"We are also seeing transmission among sports teams with pockets of transmission amongst basketball and soccer teams, as well as a large outbreak at the hockey camp," said Summers. "I would highlight that as we head into the fall with the rising transmission of Delta and increasing case numbers throughout our jurisdiction, that these activities are higher risk and may have to be avoided."
The number of active COVID-19 cases in the region shot above 200 Monday, the first time since the start of June it has surpassed that number.
In a continued effort to get as many people as possible vaccinated, the health unit is continuing to offer a variety of walk-in, pop-up clinics through London and Middlesex County. That includes clinics that go into the evening hours and ones at special events. To see the full list of pop-up vaccination clinics in London and Middlesex County click here.
Shots, both first and second, also continue to be administered without an appointment at the region's four mass vaccination clinics. However, for those who would like to book ahead, that can be done online at www.covidvaccinelm.ca.
