Bluewater Health April 25, 2019 Photo by Melanie IrwinBluewater Health April 25, 2019 Photo by Melanie Irwin
Sarnia

Another COVID-related death reported as vaccine supply debate continues

Bluewater Health reported another COVID-19-related death Sunday.

Communications Chief Julia Oosterman said the individual is a woman in her 70s who was admitted from her home, not long-term care.

It's the Sarnia hospital's 37th death since the pandemic began over a year ago and will be recorded as the 53rd in Lambton.

Bluewater Health was still reporting 10 positive patients in hospital.

In its update Sunday, Lambton Public Health said there were 16 new confirmed cases for a total of 3,039, 2,851 of which are considered resolved, an increase of 17. The health unit website, as of Sunday, showed 136 active cases, down one, and five active outbreaks, a decrease of two.

The local debate over vaccine supply continued Saturday when Lambton Public Health, in a news release, again stated it needs more vaccine to keep its immunization clinics running.

While acknowledging that Lambton is not the only region suffering from a lack of supply, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade said a large influx of vaccines is needed to keep residents protected.

The health unit said the average supply of vaccines for March was around 5,000 doses per week but the region has the capacity in place right now to deliver 10,000 doses per week through its fixed and mobile clinics. Until supply increases, public health said the Point Edward Arena “Hockey Hub” mass vaccination clinic will only run four days a week, rather than six.

On Friday, Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey said that as of April 3, Sarnia-Lambton ranked sixth highest among the 34 Ontario public health units for having administered at least single doses. “There is a lot of negative chatter out there, online and in the media, that somehow Lambton County has been left behind. That is simply not true," said Bailey in a statement. "The numbers show that the people of Lambton County are receiving vaccines at a rate faster than most parts of the province. We owe a debt of gratitude to Lambton Public Health for how quickly and successfully they’ve set up our vaccine distribution system.”

Heading into the new week, about 25 per cent of the county's eligible population has received at least one dose.

-With files from Dave Dentinger

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