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Though both of these factors may inflate the number of cases reported this fall, the increases are still a cause for concern, Stranges said.
“This is not business as usual,” he said. “It’s of critical importance that the community spread does not become so overwhelming as to jeopardize any possibility of contact tracing.”
Though the second wave is well underway in London and across Ontario, Stranges said many people are slow to adapt to the new reality and double-down on public health precautions like they did in April.
“This is a global trend in Western countries. We are seeing exactly the same thing in western Europe,” Stranges said. “This is a marathon. With the relaxation of some public health measures and the end of lockdown . . . many people have relaxed and lost focus on public health recommendations.”
Officials need to implement targeted restrictions where necessary and ratchet up their public messaging to address rising case counts before they trigger other crises, Stranges said.
There are early signs Londoners are heeding public health warnings to reduce their number of close personal contacts, Mackie said. In recent weeks, confirmed cases were reporting an average of four close contacts to health unit tracers. The average number of contacts per case dropped to about two this week, he said.
“I think there’s a lot of commitment (to public health measures),” he said. “The number of contacts per case has come down. Hopefully that bears out in the numbers going forward.”
The Oakridge Arena COVID-19 assessment site at 825 Valetta St. is closed Saturday and Sunday, but will be open on Thanksgiving Monday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling 519-667-6886.
The Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre location at 656 Elizabeth St. is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those who show up will be given a card with a time to return for a test.
jbieman@postmedia.com
