MLHU, SWPH report combined five new COVID-19-related deaths

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) and Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) are reporting a total of five deaths across their coverage areas on Tuesday.

The deaths include:

This brings the total in London-Middlesex to 288 and in Elgin-Oxford to 136.

Across the province, a total of 64 COVID-19-related deaths were confirmed as the number of people in hospital Intensive Care Units hit 626.

Locally, there are now 149 inpatients at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) with COVID-19, a slight increase in the last 24 hours, with 21 patients in Critical Care and fiver or fewer at Children's Hospital.

Of those with COVID-19 at LHSC, 93 are being treated for COVID-19 while 56 are being treated for other issues but have also tested positive.

Meanwhile the number of COVID-positive staff continues to decline, dropping to 199 from 214 on Monday. Six outbreaks are ongoing, after one in the 7IP Clinical Neurosciences was declared over.

At St. Joseph's Health Care, 77 workers are positive, down from 88 on Monday, while the number of positive patients/residents is up by five to 21. Outbreaks at Parkwood Institute and Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care continue.

In Elgin and Oxford counties, 29 COVID-19 patients have required hospitalization with eight in Critical Care.

As of Saturday, the MLHU reports that 89.6 per cent of those eligible aged five and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 83.7 per cent are fully vaccinated.

REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS

Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:

Ontario health officials reported a total of 3,424 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, though all case numbers are likely underestimates due to a lack of testing.