84 new COVID-19 cases in London area Thursday as shutdown looms

Recent developments:

• A province-wide shutdown is expected to start Saturday as COVID-19 case counts climb.
• More pharmacies are offering vaccines to people 55 years old and up, including two in London.
• Ontario reported 2,557 additional COVID-19 cases Thursday and 23 more deaths.

What's the latest situation for London?

The Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) posted 84 new COVID-19 infections Thursday and no deaths.

The majority of new cases involve younger people, with 33 people under 19 testing positive, as well as 25 people in their 20s.

"What's happening there is what we call risk stratification. So even though the vast majority of people, including students, are taking all appropriate precautions and behaving safely, you have a subset that are not and they're now finding each other and finding ways to gather that that they feel are worthwhile," said Dr. Chris Mackie, the medical officer of health for the region.

"And so when you get this subgroup that is taking high risk behaviours, even though the rest of your community might not be doing so, you can see sustained spread in that subgroup because they have new close contacts all the time."

There were two additional confirmed variants of concern originating from the U.K., along with 49 additional suspected variants of concern. There have now been eight confirmed variants and 206 suspected cases involving variants since the health unit started reporting the findings on March 3.

The health unit reported 26 recoveries, with 564 known active cases in the region.

The seven-day rolling average for daily cases is up to 66, more than double the average a week ago.

London Health Sciences Centre is reporting 21 patients in hospital with COVID-19, with five or fewer in critical care. There are 10 staff members who have tested positive for the virus.

Five additional cases were reported at local schools, including four in elementary and one in secondary. The school affected include:

• College Avenue Secondary School
• Ekcoe Central Public School
• Forest Park Public School
• Southside Public School
• Roch Carrier French Immersion Public School

There are currently 15 active cases of COVID-19 across 12 schools.

Another outbreak declared at Western University

A fifth COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in a residence at Western University, according to the MLHU. The latest outbreak is at Medway-Sydenham Hall Residence. The health unit says there are eight students who have tested positive for coronavirus.

Outbreaks at Ontario Hall, Saugeen-Maitland Hall and Elgin Hall remain active. An outbreak declared at Essex Hall on March 2 is now declared over.

In response to the rising case counts and outbreaks, Western says they will be moving the majority of in-person classes and final exams online starting Tuesday.

Vaccinations at pharmacies extended to people 55+

The province announced extended vaccination options at pharmacies to people 55 years of age and up.

The number of pharmacies offering the shot has also increased to include two locations in London, including the pharmacy at the Costco at 693 Wonderland Road North and the Shoppers Drug Mart at 603 Fanshawe Park Road West.

Appointments must be made by calling the pharmacy or visiting their website, according the province.

COVID-19 across the region and beyond

Southwestern Public Health, which oversees Elgin-Oxford, reported eight COVID-19 cases Thursday and no deaths. The region currently has 90 ongoing cases.

Huron Perth Public Health posted five additional infections and no deaths. There are 15 known active cases in that  region.

Province-wide, there were 2,557 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Thursday and 23 additional deaths.

Stricter health measures are expected to start on Saturday as the Ford government issues an Ontario-wide shutdown.