The local COVID-19 incidence rate more than doubled last week.
On Wednesday, Lambton Public Health reported the rate of infection per 100,000 population increased to 126.3 for the week of December 12 to 18, from 51.9 the week before.
The positivity rate was also higher at 6.8 per cent, up from 3.6 per cent.
The health unit reported 36 new cases of the virus, putting the caseload since the start of the pandemic at 4,739 confirmed infections. The number of resolved cases increased by 12 to 4,487, increasing the active case count by 24 to 173.
Bluewater Health is reporting another COVID-related death, the 65th at the hospital since March 2020, and the second this week.
Communications spokesperson Birgit Lacey said the latest death was a Lambton area man in his 70s.
There are 14 COVID-positive patients at Bluewater Health, and nine active community outbreaks, unchanged from Tuesday.
Since the vaccine rollout launched in late January, the health unit said 214,403 doses have been administered, including over 17,200 third doses.
To date, 80 per cent of eligible residents aged five and up have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 76 per cent have had two shots.