{"id":12419,"date":"2020-04-20T18:01:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T22:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/airpurifierspecialist.com\/store\/?p=12419"},"modified":"2020-05-20T19:03:23","modified_gmt":"2020-05-20T23:03:23","slug":"this-is-not-the-time-to-relax-physical-distancing-public-health-officials-warn-as-covid-19-cases-level-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/airpurifierspecialist.com\/store\/this-is-not-the-time-to-relax-physical-distancing-public-health-officials-warn-as-covid-19-cases-level-off\/","title":{"rendered":"‘This is not the time to relax physical distancing’ public health officials warn as COVID-19 cases level off"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Middlesex-London Health Unit has reported 17 new COVID-19 cases in the London region, bringing the total number of cases in the area to 323. The new cases come as updated models from the province suggest the community spread of the virus appears to have peaked earlier than anticipated\u00a0in Ontario.<\/p>\n

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A London man wearing a face mask waits in line to enter the grocery store. Retailers across the province are limiting the number of people in their stores to ensure physical distancing to help curb the spread of COVID-19. (Colin Butler\/CBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) has reported 17 new COVID-19 cases in the London region, bringing the total number of cases in the area to 323.<\/p>\n

The new cases come as updated models from the province suggest the community spread of the virus appears to have peaked earlier than anticipated\u00a0in Ontario.<\/p>\n

However, public\u00a0health officials\u00a0said that in order to ensure the best possible outcome, people must “stay the course.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

“This is not the time to relax our intense public health measures and physical distancing,” said Dr. Chris Mackie, the medical officer of health with the MLHU. “We’re still in the midst of our pandemic wave whether the peak has passed or not.”<\/p>\n

“We still have a significant amount of coronavirus in the community, so please continue to be vigilant,” Dr. Mackie warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to the latest data from the province, if physical distancing measures remain in place, the total number of cases in Ontario\u00a0for this wave of the outbreak is likely less than 20,000<\/a>, a number significantly lower than the worst-case scenario predicted at the beginning of the month of 300,000 cases.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite an increase in testing, during the past few days\u00a0the percentage of positive cases in the province has dropped and has held steady around\u00a0five and six per cent, a finding that is fairly\u00a0reassuring, Dr. Mackie said.<\/p>\n

But while the community spread seems to have peaked, the scenario is different at the province’s long-term care homes.<\/p>\n

“We’re very much seeing the pandemic move intensely\u00a0into those long-term care facilities and retirement homes … and we’re doing everything possible to support these [facilities] that are really bearing the brunt of this pandemic right now,” Dr. Mackie said.<\/p>\n

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COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities and retirement homes<\/strong><\/h2>\n