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Lambton Public Health reported Sunday there were 1,037 active cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the Sarnia area.
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That’s up 262 from New Year’s Eve. The public health agency didn’t post local daily COVID-19 testing results New Year’s Day.
The number of local cases climbed 345 Sunday, compared to the number reported Dec. 31, for a total of 5,945 since the pandemic began.
The agency said 4,824 local cases are considered resolved.
It reported a total of 84 local deaths, which is one more than reported Dec. 31.
A local man in his 70s died in hospital, a Bluewater Health spokesperson confirmed Friday.
The provincial government announced changes last week to COVID-19 testing.
Publicly-funded rapid molecular (PCR) testing will only be available for high-risk individuals who are symptomatic or at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, workers and residents in the highest risk settings, as well as vulnerable populations.
The province said members of the general public with mild symptoms should not seek testing. Most individuals with a positive result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be required or encouraged to have a PCR test to confirm the result.
Ontario also reduced the isolation period to five days following the unset of COVID-19 symptoms for those who are vaccinated, children under 12, and household contacts.
The province has delayed the return to school following the holiday break to Jan. 5.