Eight new COVID-19 cases in Middlesex-London, third dose rollout underway

The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reporting eight new COVID-19 cases Thursday, as the region prepares to roll out third vaccine doses.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting eight new COVID-19 cases Thursday, as the region prepares to roll out third vaccine doses.

Thursday's total marks the third consecutive day of single-digit counts after a week of counts in the low to mid-teens. The count lowers the seven-day moving average to 9.4 from 10.1 -- an average not seen since August -- before the fourth wave.

The region now has a total of 14,519 cases and 246 deaths (none new), with 14,178 cases resolved leaving 95 active -- the first dip below 100 in weeks.

Of the cases with an episode date in the past six weeks, 66.4 per cent are among the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or those not yet protected by the vaccine. The same group also account for 78.9 per cent of hospitalizations and 75 per cent of deaths.

There are two active outbreaks in area schools or day care facilities -- at Wilberforce Public School and at Waddling Duck Daycare. Two new cases in known close contacts have been identified in connection with the Wilberforce outbreak since Monday.

Meanwhile the London Health Sciences Centre reports it is caring for eight patients with COVID-19, a decrease of one in the last 24 hours.

MLHU Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers says 7,000 to 10, 000 residents are now eligible to receive a third COVID-19 vaccine dose, a number that will increase dramatically through December.