Journal Staff
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sarnia-Lambton has risen to 131 today, up from 128 reported on Friday, Lambton Public Health says.
The number of deaths is unchanged at 13.
Pre-existing health conditions have been a major factor in the local fatalities, including the most recent deaths reported Friday of two individuals in their 70s.
Lambton Public Health says all 13 people who have died of COVID-19 had at least one pre-existing condition, and some had more than one.
Ten had a cardiovascular (heart) condition and five had diabetes. COPD, renal and other conditions were also complicating factors.
The number of people who have recovered from the disease has increased to 47, from 45 on Friday.
A total of 796 test results have come back, a one-day increase of 57. Sixteen percent of the tests came back positive, and 84% negative.
Lambton Public Health and Bluewater Health say the arrival of additional test kits will allow testing at the assessment centre in Sarnia to increase sharply next week.
A second testing clinic is expected to open as early as Monday in Petrolia, and in-home testing done by paramedics on non-mobile residents is also increasing.
Two outbreaks have occurred at local senior homes.
Landmark Village has had 23 confirmed cases — seven staff and 16 residents. Six of the 13 death are linked to the retirement home.
A second outbreak was declared at Lambton Meadowview Villa in Petrolia this week after a staff member there was confirmed to have the virus.
Teams from the Sarnia assessment clinic and the mobile paramedic program tested 272 people in two locations on Thursday, including staff and residents at Meadowview.
Sarnia-Lambton has 10 retirement homes and 10 long-term care homes. Testing at the other locations is being scheduled, officials said.