Lambton’s top doctor warned the COVID-19 death toll will continue to climb – and it has.
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Another fatality linked to the virus was reported Friday by Lambton public health. A long-term care resident in their 80s died at the facility, a spokesperson confirmed.
That pushed the overall death toll to 94. It was 86 just one week earlier.
No new deaths were reported in local hospital, Bluewater Health reported, although four were already disclosed this week. A total of 79 patients have died due to the disease in Sarnia’s hospital, a figure that includes some people who lived outside the area.
The vaccination status of the deceased has not been made available due to privacy concerns, officials have said.
Dr. Sudit Ranade, Lambton’s medical officer of health, said this week he expects virus-related deaths to continue to be reported by both organizations amid the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant. But, he added, it’s not a reflection of a change in the severity of the disease it causes, but mainly due to a high number of people being infected.
A total of 41 COVID-positive patients were being treated in hospital Friday, Bluewater Health reported. That ties the hospital’s record, which was set earlier this week.
A new outbreak was also declared at the Sarnia hospital. This one is in the surgical “B” unit in Sarnia, where six patients tested positive, Bluewater Health said in a statement.
“All designated care partners for surgical patients are halted,” the hospital group said. “Four staff infections related to the outbreak have been identified at this time.”
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The Sarnia hospital already had an active outbreak affecting the in-patient rehabilitation unit. It was declared Jan. 7 and is expected to end Jan. 24, barring any setbacks.
Another 141 local COVID-19 cases were confirmed Friday by the health unit, although Ranade has cautioned the actual number of cases is likely three to four times higher.
Of the 7,568 reported to date, 800 were active and 6,674 were resolved. The most recent seven-day incidence rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 people in Lambton was 618.2. Ontario’s was 430.6.
The health unit was also overseeing 15 outbreaks. The majority were at long-term care or retirement homes and congregate settings, although a local business has also been hit.
As the vaccine rollout continues with a focus on third doses, a total of 242,640 shots have been given to Sarnia-Lambton residents as of Friday. Of those, 42,561 were booster shots.
A total of 77 per cent of the five-plus population was fully immunized and 32 per cent had three doses.
Visit getthevaccine.ca for information about upcoming local clinics.