Record number of COVID-19 cases in Middlesex-London

The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reporting 228 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, the highest daily total since the start of the pandemic 21 months ago.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 228 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, the highest daily total since the start of the pandemic 21 months ago.

Previously, the highest daily case count was 176 cases reported on April 14, at the peak of the third wave.

Just two weeks ago, the region was reporting fewer than 40 daily cases and had just 289 active cases.

The health unit also says it is significantly behind in case and contact tracing, with at least 300 people who have tested positive not yet being advised of their status.

With the growing number of cases and testing capacity also backlogged, the MLHU has released new guidance.

Anyone who tests positive is asked to self-isolate immediately without waiting to be contacted by public health and to tell all those who are part of their household to isolate as well.

The health unit also said, "anyone who develops respiratory symptoms is being advised to treat their illness as though it is COVID-19, even without a positive test result, to self-isolate immediately and advise members of their household to isolate as well."