Another downtown bar has been tied to an outbreak of COVID-19.
The Middlesex London Health Unit declared the outbreak on Wednesday at Lost Love Social House at 153 Carling Street after five people tested positive for the virus. The infected individuals were at the bar on the evening of August 7 into the early morning of August 8.
Health unit investigators have not determined whether the five cases from Lost Love are linked to other outbreaks. They are advising anyone who was at the bar on the night in question to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status. Anyone who exhibits signs or symptoms of the virus should go to a COVID-19 Assessment Centre for testing.
“This is the second outbreak we’ve declared in the last four days that has been tied to a downtown bar, where we know people have been gathering without masks and where it is much more difficult to follow public health guidance,” Dr. Alex Summers, the region's associate medical officer of health, said in a statement. “These situations are particularly challenging as we know that the age groups attending these places have lower vaccination rates and the Delta variant is circulating widely among this demographic. These are the situations where the fourth wave really has the potential to take hold.”
On Sunday, the health unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Delilah’s at 209 John St. after 15 patrons of the Richmond Row bar contracted the virus. Several of those involved had also attended a gathering at a private residence while infectious, health investigators determined.
Both Lost Love and Delilah’s have dealt with outbreaks in the past. Last November the John Street bar had three staffers test positive for the virus, which led to an outbreak being declared. Lost Love was named as one of the locations frequented by infected university students involved in a community outbreak last September.
In light of the most recent outbreaks, the health unit is again urging anyone who has not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine to get their first dose as soon as possible. Second dose appointments should be booked for four weeks after the first in order to be more fully protected.
While social gatherings are allowed under Step 3 of Ontario's economic reopening plan, the health unit recommends those doing so keep gatherings outdoors and limited to people who have been vaccinated. The use of face coverings and physical distancing is also recommended.
