3 new COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations steady in London this week
CBC
Another three people have died with COVID-19 in Middlesex-London this week, as hospitalizations with the virus remain steady
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) reported the death of a woman in her 90s on Tuesday. Two more deaths were reported on Thursday, including a man in his 70s and a woman in her 80s.
There have now been 14 COVID-19-related deaths reported in April and 375 since the pandemic began.
The seven-day rolling average for daily reported high-risk cases is steady at 89. The number of known active cases is at 870, down by more than100 from the previous week. The actual number of cases in the community is estimated to be much higher since testing is only being tracked for high-risk settings, according to the health unit.
As of April 23, 88.2 per cent of residents aged five and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, no change from the week previous. The MLHU continues to urge everyone 12 and older to get a third booster dose of vaccine. Those 60 years of age and older, along with First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals 18 and older can get a fourth booster as well.
For more on getting vaccinated in Middlesex-London, visit the health unit's website.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) posted 48 patients with COVID-19 in local hospitals on Friday, down by 11 since Monday, but the same since last Friday.
The number of people being treated specifically for the virus makes up 41.6 per cent of total patients, while 58.3 per cent tested positive while being admitted for other ailments. There are 11 patients with COVID-19 in intensive care.
There are currently 215 LHSC staff who have tested positive for the virus and are isolating, down by 63 since the same day last week.
There are three active COVID-19 outbreaks within the hospital network, including one at University Hospital in the U4 Medicine 100 and low 200 wings, and two at Victoria Hospital, including the C6-200 Sub-Acute Medicine Unit and B4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
There are currently eight patients with COVID-19 at the Children's Hospital and five or fewer in Paediatric Critical Care.
"We're always concerned when COVID inpatient cases climb, and that is especially true for pediatric patients," said Dr. Adam Dukelow, the chief medical officer for the LHSC, adding about half of children with COVID-19 tested positive while being admitted for other ailments.
"I believe that these numbers reflect the high rates of infection we have seen in our community over the past couple of weeks," he said, adding hospitalizations are a lagging indicator of cases in the community and as positive cases decline, hospitalizations are expected to follow.
Ontario is reporting 1,679 patients in hospital with COVID-19 on Friday, including 209 patients in intensive care, down by five since the same day last week. The Ministry of Health says 44 per cent of patients were admitted directly for COVID-19 symptoms.
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