Six new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in London region, including Western student in residence

Six new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the London region, according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU).

Health officials believe all six patients acquired the virus through community transmission, but they continue to investigate.

"Seeing a number of cases with no recent travel history indicates there is likely community transmission in the Middlesex-London region," said Dr. Chris Mackie, the region's medical officer of health, in a statement.

"We absolutely need people to keep up those physical distancing measures. The safest thing to do is to stay home to stay safe."

All six patients have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days, and officials will be following up with each individual's close contacts.

Western University

One of those infected is a student who lived in residence on campus, Western University officials said. 

"The individual lives in a single room on campus with access to a private washroom, and has been in self-isolation since first experiencing symptoms," the school said in a statement. 

Health officials have spoken to people who may have been in close contact with the patient and those people are also in self-isolation. 

Western University has said it will not comment on the specifics of the case, but say others in residence have been contacted. 

"This news may understandably be upsetting to our students who remain in residence and our residence staff," Western said. 

Big uptick in cases

Ontario is reporting 50 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total in the province to 308.

This is the largest single-day increase of new cases in the region and in the province.

In total, there are 11 patients with COVID-19 under the jurisdiction of the MLHU.

The provincial total includes five resolved cases and two deaths.

As of Friday, there were no reports of new cases being investigated by Huron Perth Public Health or the Grey Bruce Health Unit.