Middlesex-London passes 8,000 COVID-19 cases, with 139 new infections Friday

Recent developments:

• Ontario reported 4,227 new COVID-19 cases and 18 additional deaths Friday.
• There are two new outbreaks at university student residences in London
• There have now been 8,098 cases of coronavirus in Middlesex-London since the pandemic began.

What's the latest situation for the London area?

The Middlesex London Health Unit reported 139 new cases of COVID-19 Friday and no deaths. The seven-day rolling average for daily case counts is up to 112.

The majority of new cases were in London, along with five in Strathroy-Caradoc, three in North Middlesex and two in Thames Centre.

Younger people continue to lead the tally, with 82 people in their 20s and under, 22 people in their 30s, 14 people in their 40s, 15 people in their 50s and 11 people in their 60s. There were two new cases among people in their 70s and no new infections in people over 80.

The health unit posted 54 recoveries, with 1,084 known active cases in the region.

Friday's tally for new cases pushed the total to 8,098 since the pandemic began. It's been four days since a death was reported in the region. There have been five deaths in Middlesex-London in the last month and 190 since the pandemic began.

The London Health Sciences Centre is seeing a climb in patients with COVID-19. There are now 31 patients with the virus, including 14 in ICU. Eight staff members have tested positive as well, but health officials say they are in isolation and not at work.

There are currently no outbreaks at London hospitals.

More outbreaks at university student residences

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the King's Commons student residence at King's University College after seven students tested positive for the virus. In a statement, the university said the positive cases are in quarantine and students are being supported.

Another Western University residence was added to the list of outbreaks on campus Friday. The health unit has declared an outbreak at Perth Hall Residence, though the number of students infected is not yet known.

There are still six additional ongoing outbreaks at Western University, including Ontario Hall, Saugeen-Maitland Hall, Elgin Hall, Medway-Sydenham Hall, Delaware Hall and Essex Hall.

What's the situation with schools and child care?

There were seven new cases reported in school and child care settings on Friday, including three cases at elementary schools and four cases at child care centres.

There are now 21 active cases of COVID-19 across 16 schools in the region. According to the health unit, students and staff who have tested positive are in isolation and there is little risk of transmission to the school communities.

An outbreak has been declared at Kidorable Child Care Centre in east London where two people have tested positive for coronavirus.

COVID-19 across the region and beyond

There are 24 new cases in Elgin-Oxford, according to Southwestern Public Health. There are now 123 active cases in the region, including 36 in Woodstock, 24 in St. Thomas and 19 in Aylmer.

Huron Perth Public Health posted 10 new infections Friday, including five in Stratford, four in Huron County and one in Perth County. The number of ongoing cases has risen to 34, including 14 in Stratford.

Meanwhile, Ontario reported 4,227 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, along with 18 additional deaths.

As of Thursday, there were 1,492 people with COVID-19 in hospitals across the province. Of those, 552 are in critical care.