The president and CEO of Bluewater Health is hoping to see mass COVID-19 vaccinations of more than 2,000 a day in Lambton County by month's end.
Mike Lapaine told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Wednesday morning that all reports indicate we're on the cusp of getting huge shipments of vaccines.
He said that will be a game-changer for everyone.
"So when you start to do the math on two thousand vaccines a day, it's a very hopeful message, and in a very short time we can get everyone that wants vaccine in the community vaccinated by, I'd like to say by May 2-4 weekend," said Lapaine. "That tends to be the celebration of summer, wouldn't that be a wonderful milestone."
Lapaine said Bluewater Health currently has just four COVID-positive patients but the hospital's medical units are very busy and they're struggling with capacity issues.
"It's not directly COVID-related, there's been a lot of people that have deferred their care over the last year and I think now that we're seeing them, they come to hospital quite sick. So I think that's what we're seeing and in fairness at this time of year the hospital tends to be busier."
Bluewater Health officials continue to stress that people should not be afraid during the pandemic to go to the hospital for necessary treatment.
-With files from Sue Storr