There are signs the second global wave of COVID-19 is gaining a foothold in Sarnia-Lambton.
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Friday that this week's increase in new cases wasn't unexpected.
"The whole one case a day for a few days was an indicator that I was concerned at some point would lead to a jump in cases," said Ranade. "I didn't think that it would be immediately the next day, but here we are, seven more cases from yesterday. And you can see, just so everybody understands, as we're doing more things, each case is coming into contact with a lot more people, that means a lot more people that need to be isolated for any given case."
After having hit zero on October 6, there are now 10 active cases locally with the total confirmed case count at 358.
There are two outbreaks, a staff member tested positive at Twin Lakes Terrace, and there are three cases at an unidentified workplace.
Single cases are reported now in three schools: Colonel Cameron in Corunna, Bright's Grove Public School and Northern high school.
Lambton Kent District School Board Director John Howitt says no classes have been cancelled at Northern.
"The confirmed case was not in attendance at the school in the last two weeks, and public health deemed that there was no risk to anyone at the school," he said.
All the affected schools are open.
Dr. Ranade said his core message to residents is to limit social interaction in response to the surge in cases.
"Many of these [cases] are connected to each other and that in some ways is reassuring but it doesn't change the core message which is really to start paring down to the essentials. Going back to a Stage 1 mentality even though things are open, do things that are important, do them safely but otherwise keep all of the other stuff for later."
-With files from Sue Storr