Omicron dominant: MLHU reports 75 new COVID-19 cases Monday

The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reporting 75 new COVID-19 cases Monday after more than 100 were reported over the weekend.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 75 new COVID-19 cases Monday after more than 100 were reported over the weekend.

Middlesex-London now has a total of 15,418 cases and 255 related deaths (none new), with 14,718 cases resolved leaving 445 active. The vast majority of active cases, 337, are in the City of London.

Over the weekend, 43 new cases were reported Saturday and 58 on Sunday, though no new deaths were reported.

The seven-day moving average has now climbed to 46.6, up from 37.7 on Friday, a high not seen since late May.

MLHU Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers said Monday the Omicron variant is showing increasing rates of transmission, two to three times higher than the Delta variant.

"In the face of the Omicron variant we are seeing exponential growth (of cases) in our region and across the province. I now consider the Omicron variant to be the dominant strain in our region and it is rapidly becoming the dominant strain across the province."

The MLHU is also changing case management as it is assuming all cases now to be the Omicron variant.