Outbreak reported in Low German community as COVID cases rise

There's been a surge of COVID-19 cases in Low German speaking communities in southwestern Ontario, according to Huron Perth Public Health.

The health unit said five of its most recent cases, including four reported over the weekend, stem from the same extended Low German community in Perth East.

A media release from the health unit said all cases in Perth East are self-isolating, and that contact tracing is being done with the help of leaders in the community.

"Public health units across Southwestern Ontario have been working together to manage this recent surge of COVID-19 cases," the release said.

Huron Perth Public Health also said that an outbreak reported at Knollcrest Lodge in Milverton is over, after a positive test in an asymptomatic health care worker was deemed "a prior infection or a false positive." There was no evidence of transmission, said the health unit. 

There was one new case of COVID-19 reported on both Saturday and Sunday in Middlesex-London.

Southwestern Public Health is reporting six new cases Sunday and nine new cases Saturday. The majority of current cases in that region are in Aylmer, where the health unit said 32 people have the virus.

There are also 14 cases in Bayham, eight in Tillsonburg, six in Norwich, two in St. Thomas and one in Central Elgin.

There are no new cases being reported in Grey-Bruce.