St Marys man dies of COVID-19 as curve climbs across the region

A St Marys man diagnosed with COVID-19 more than two weeks ago has died in a Stratford hospital.

Huron Perth Public Health confirmed the death of the 64-year-old Monday, the first fatality in the region, noting he likely contracted the virus on a trip to Mexico.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of this man's passing and extend our sincere condolences to his family andfriends," said Dr. Miriam Klassen, the medical officer of health for Huron Perth, in a statement.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) reportedits first death on Saturday, as well as the hospitalization of a long-term care patient Sunday.

On Monday, that health unit said it was dealing with sixnew cases of COVID-19,bringing the total number of cases to 37.

MLHU officials said two patients have been sent to hospital, including a woman in her 90s. It also reported thatfour people are in their 20s.

"These are actually cases that occurred some time ago now, but they're all being reported now," said Dr. Chris Mackie, the region's medical officer of health.

The region is still on the "steep part of the curve," Mackie said, referring to the curvecreated by the daily reported number of COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, the London Health Sciences Centre said Monday ithas four patients with COVID-19 in intensive care: three at Victoria Hospital and one at University Hospital.

First case in St. Thomas as numbers climb outside London

Southwestern Public Health has confirmed its first case ofCOVID-19 in St. Thomas after a man in his 70s was hospitalized. Details regardinghow he caught the virus have yet to be released.

Across the region, the number of positive cases continue to climb.Seven cases of COVID-19 were reported in Huron Perth this pastweekend, including a patient at a long-term care home.

"This past weekend has reinforced that we are now seeing local spread across both Huron and Perth counties, a similar pattern to what has been showing up across Ontario," Dr. Klassen said.

Meanwhile, Oxford County saw its third case in a man in his 40swho has been placed in isolation, officials said.

In Grey Bruce, there was one new case reported on Monday as afemale in her 30s was hospitalized after testing positive. Health officials say they believe the woman caught the virus from community transmission.

On Sunday, the Grey Bruce Health Unit confirmed two cases: a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s.

There are now 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Grey Bruce, officials said.

Field hospital in the works

Across the province,351 new cases were reported Monday, the largest single-day increase since the outbreak began.

Health officials have been tryingto "flatten the curve," insisting the public self-isolate and practise physical distancing, so that hospitals are not overwhelmed.

In an interview with London Morning, Mackie said plans are in the works to open a field hospital in London, if the situation becomes unmanageable at hospitals.

Details around where an off-site treatment facility would be located are not yet known.