Tara Jeffrey
The rise of COVID-19 in Lambton continued Saturday, with a record 20 new cases reported by Lambton Public Health, the largest jump since the pandemic's early days.
The number of active cases is now 49, up from 39 Friday. The number of resolved cases also jumped from 411 to 420.
The local infection rate has risen steadily this month, with nearly 90 new cases now confirmed since Dec. 1.
The health unit also declared two new workplace outbreaks Friday, bringing the total number of active outbreaks to five.
"LPH has received two laboratory-confirmed positive test results for COVID-19 linked to the first workplace, and two linked to the second," a news release stated Saturday.
Two of the five outbreaks have been reported at Nova Chemicals' Corunna site.
Earlier this week, Sarnia's Insignia Hotel confirmed two of its Legacy Restaurant employees tested positive for the virus.
"After evaluating the situation with Public Health and adhering to their recommendations, we are excited to announce that we are officially reopening Legacy Restaurant on December 27th, 2020" the hotel posted on Facebook, Thursday. "The Insignia Hotel remains open as the COVID 19 cases were limited to the kitchen in the Legacy restaurant area only.
"All restaurant employees who were potentially exposed have been tested and with the exception of the 2 confirmed cases, all other employees’ tests have come back negative."
The number of Covid-positive patients at Bluewater Health dropped to one, Saturday.
"There was one death yesterday as well as one patient cleared and then discharged," said Julia Oosterman, the hospital's chief of communications and public affairs, noting that the latest death was a male patient from outside Lambton County. A total of 19 Bluewater Health patients have died from the virus.
On Friday, the Lambton Kent District School Board updated its website to include one new student case at Great Lakes Secondary School, and another at P.E. McGibbon school. One confirmed student case is also still active at St. Patrick's High School.
Ontario reported 2,357 new cases Saturday, 27 deaths, and 1,865 resolved.
A news release issued Thursday by Lambton Public Health urged residents to take action to slow the spread of the virus, stressing that "Non-essential social interactions continue to be a main driver for the spread of COVID-19."
"Activities like workplace socials and gatherings with friends should not be happening at this point in the pandemic," explained Dr. Sudit Ranade, Medical Officer of Health for Lambton County. "We are asking families to stick to one household and if they need to see someone, be safe about it.”