Lambton Public Health reported a new daily record high of confirmed COVID-19 cases Tuesday.
The health unit said there's 77 new infections, bringing the total since March 25 to 1,076.
There's been 47 more resolved cases up to 725, bringing the number of active cases to 323, an increase of 30 from Monday.
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade said we have to be realistic about how long we might have to be in lockdown.
"You'll note in February or March we started a lockdown fairly early as case numbers were climbing," said Ranade. "Now what you have is a situation where the numbers have been rising quite substantially before a lockdown was put in place and the lockdown doesn't actually cover all the things that it covered the first time around. And lastly, and perhaps maybe the most important of all is that the lockdown and restrictions probably don't cover most of the places where people are actually socializing."
There are now seven long-term care home outbreaks. Two staff members and one resident at Fairwinds Lodge Retirement Home on Michigan Avenue have tested positive for the virus.
The Beer Store reported Monday that an employee at its store at 1107 Confederation St, Sarnia has tested positive. The Beer Store said it's working in consultation with Lambton Public Health and all potentially affected employees will self-isolate and symptom monitor as a precautionary measure. A full cleaning protocol has been implemented at the store, including thorough disinfectant deep cleaning.
One workplace outbreak has been declared over, for a total of seven, and the health unit continues to monitor two school outbreaks.
The death toll remains unchanged since December 19, 2020 at 28.
Bluewater Health has six COVID-positive patients in hospital, one in intensive care.