The Middlesex-London Health Unit reported today that it had received confirmation of 15 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 52. The Health Unit also advised that two people known to have the virus have died, increasing the number of local COVID-19 deaths to three. The new cases include two people with a recent history of travel, two people who are close contacts of previously reported COVID-19 cases and 11 people whose source of infection is still under investigation. The number of new cases announced today comes as laboratories have been able to clear what had been a backlog of tests that had been pending. The Health Unit indicated that the deaths were those of a woman in her 90s and a woman in her 80s.

“We are seeing spread where there is no travel and no close contact with known cases of COVID-19,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “I can’t make this any clearer, what we do now will determine how the situation unfolds in London and Middlesex County. It is time to stay home and only go into the community for the essentials.”

As part of keeping the community informed about local cases of COVID-19, the Health Unit will be updating how it posts information to its website this week. The Health Unit will continue to post the number of new cases it receives each day and will include aggregate numbers for the total number of cases, as well as the number of cases that have been resolved and the number of deaths that have occurred.

The Health Unit continues to recommend physical distancing for those who must be out of their homes, maintaining six feet between themselves and others, including in the checkout lines at grocery stores and pharmacies.

In addition to physical distancing, the Health Unit also recommends the following to not only help prevent the spread of novel coronavirus/COVID-19 infections, but other respiratory illnesses:

• Avoid all non-essential gatherings of any size.
• Stay home from work and other activities if you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 15-20 seconds or use a waterless hand sanitizer with at least 70 percent alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and/or sneezes with your sleeve or cough into your elbow.
• Clean high-touch areas, such as doorknobs in public spaces, frequently.

The Health Unit continues to monitor this developing situation actively, in collaboration with national and provincial health agencies, as well as local stakeholders, including hospitals and community partners.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.healthunit.com/novel-coronavirus or www.ontario.ca/coronavirus

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Milne, Communications Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-617-0564 (cell)

Spokesperson:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Middlesex-London Health Unit