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Health Unit Calls on Residents to Create Physical Distance While Maintaining Social Connection

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London, ON – The Ontario Public Health Laboratory has notified the Middlesex-London Health Unit of six new cases of COVID-19 in the region, bringing the total number of local cases to 11. Health Unit staff have followed up with those who have tested positive for the illness; all of them are currently self-isolating. Staff will also be following up with each individual’s close contacts, all of whom will be advised to remain in self-isolation for the next 14 days. The investigations so far indicate that not all cases are directly associated with recent travel to an area affected by COVID-19.

“Seeing a number of cases with no recent travel history indicates there is likely community transmission in the Middlesex-London region,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “We absolutely need people to keep up those physical distancing measures. The safest thing to do is to stay home to stay safe. At the same time, social connection is important too in this difficult time – so we need to find creative ways of building social connection while maintaining a physical distance of at least six feet apart.”

Public health authorities have also emphasized avoiding non-essential gatherings of any size, and making sure to stay home and self-isolate if you start to develop symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, new or worsening cough, or difficulty breathing.

If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, please use the Ontario Ministry of Health’s self-assessment tool at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment before visiting one of London’s two Assessment Centres or your healthcare provider’s office.

The Health Unit recommends the following actions to not only help prevent the spread of novel coronavirus/COVID-19 infections, but also many other respiratory illnesses:

  • Do your best to practice physical distancing by staying six feet away from others.
  • Avoid all non-essential gatherings of any size.
  • Stay home from work and other activities if you are sick.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a waterless hand sanitizer with at least 70 percent alcohol content.
  • Cover coughs and/or sneezes with your sleeve or cough into your elbow.
  • Clean high-touch areas, such as doorknobs in public spaces, frequently.

The Health Unit continues to monitor this developing situation actively, in collaboration with national and provincial health agencies, as well as local stakeholders, including hospitals and community partners.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.healthunit.com/novel-coronavirus or www.ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Milne, Communications Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit
519-663-5317 ext. 2448 or 519-617-0564 (cell)

Spokespeople:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Middlesex-London Health Unit