COVID-19 test tube. (Photo from Pixabay)COVID-19 test tube. (Photo from Pixabay)
Sarnia

Another COVID death but local case count shows improvement

For the second day in a row, Lambton Public Health is reporting a COVID-19 related death.

The county's 52nd death since the pandemic started was reported by the health unit, in its daily update Wednesday. They said the individual, in their 50's, passed away at home.

The local COVID figures continued to improve over the past 24 hours.

There were only four new confirmed cases for a total of 2,940 and cases considered resolved increased by 34 to 2,759. The active case count fell by 31 to 129.

Sarnia-Lambton's COVID-19 incidence rate continued its decline in recent weeks. The rate per 100,000 population was 102 for the week of March 28 to April 3, down from 142 the week before. The positivity rate also dropped from 3.3 per cent to 2.4 per cent.

The number of institutional, school and workplace outbreaks decreased by two to nine with three in each category. As of Wednesday, an outbreak declared March 23 at Rosewood Retirement Village had infected 19 residents and two staff.

Lambton Medical Officer Health Dr. Sudit Ranade told Lambton County Council Wednesday that many long-term care and retirement residents have been fully vaccinated.

"What we're actively watching for is what are the outcomes of that outbreak because we know that these vaccines are very effective at reducing the incidence of severe disease and hospitalization and death," said Ranade. "And I think there's emerging evidence that the vaccines are also helpful at reducing transmission."

Bluewater Health reported seven COVID-positive patients in hospital Wednesday, three in intensive care.

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