London

4 more deaths, 71 new COVID-19 cases in the London area Monday

The Middlesex London Health Unit reported four more COVID-related deaths, along with 71 new cases Monday as the province announced a 28-day lockdown starting on Boxing Day.

A province-wide lockdown will start on Boxing Day

A sign tells customers at a London, Ont., hair salon to take precautions before they enter the business. (Colin Butler/CBC)

Recent developments:

COVID-19 in the London region

There are 71 more positive cases of COVID-19 and four new deaths in Middlesex-London. There have now been 24 deaths so far this month, along with 927 cases.

The four new deaths were three men and one women. A man and woman in their 80's were residents at a long-term care home, while a man in his 60s and another in his 80s were not in a seniors' facility. Three of today's cases were staff at seniors' facilities.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit posted 53 recoveries Monday, with 430 known active cases in the region.

Outbreaks at London hospitals 

There were no new deaths reported at local hospital Monday. According to the latest data from the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), there have been two deaths at Victoria Hospital related to an outbreak, along with 20 deaths at University Hospital.

The LHSC said 79 patients and 76 staff have tested positive at the facility as of Monday.  The current number of inpatients with COVID-19 at Univeristy Hospital is 17, along with 32 staff.

There are seven active outbreaks at University Hospital and two at Victoria Hospital. 

COVID-19 in London schools 

The Thames Valley District School Board confirmed eight more cases of COVID-19 at seven separate schools Monday.

The new cases include:

  • Westminster Secondary School (2 cases)
  • Lord Dorchester Secondary School
  • Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School
  • Parkside Collegiate Institute
  • AB Lucas Secondary School 
  • Medway Secondary School
  • Emily Carr Public School

With a province-wide 28-day lockdown ordered by the Ford government today, elementary students will not be returning to class until at least Jan. 11, while high school students will go back on Jan. 25.