The number of active COVID-19 cases in Chatham-Kent continues to be on a downward trend.
CK Public Health reported six new cases of the virus Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases in the community to 55.
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby said he believes the fourth wave of the pandemic has peaked and is expecting the number of cases to start dropping significantly.
"Our cases are trending down very sharply and I am very happy about that," said Colby. "Last month, we had somewhere around 140 active cases, so we are doing very well."
However, Colby noted a jump in the number of virus-related deaths across the region. The total number of deaths in Chatham-Kent is up to 22.
According to CK Public Health, there are currently four outbreaks across the region. The latest outbreak was reported Tuesday at an unnamed workplace.
The number of people in hospital at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance with the virus remains steady at three.
"The number of hospitalizations is down," said Colby. "Two weeks ago we had 12 cases in the hospital and it's now down by three quarters."
In Chatham-Kent, adults have an 85 per cent first-dose coverage rate and a full vaccination rate of 80 per cent. Youth aged 12 to 17 have a 72 per cent first-dose coverage rate and a full vaccination rate of 64 per cent.
According to Dr. Colby, residents at long-term care or high-risk homes are now eligible to receive a third dose of a vaccine.
"Third doses are currently being considered for other groups, such as residents over the age of 70," said Colby. "However, there hasn't been thought about giving booster doses to the general public yet. I do suspect it will happen."
Provincially, there were 304 new cases reported Wednesday. Four additional deaths were reported. Of the new infections reported Wednesday, the majority of new cases involved people who are either unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown.