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Sarnia

Active COVID cases drop below 1,000

The local incidence rate of COVID-19 spiked again last week.

On Wednesday, Lambton Public Health reported the rate of infection per 100,000 population increased to 799.4 for the week of January 2 to 8, from 651.3 the week before.

The positivity rate was slightly lower at 28.5 per cent from 31.2 per cent.

The health unit reported 47 new cases of the virus and 421 resolved cases, resulting in a significant drop in the number of active infections to 939.

Since the start of the pandemic there have been 7,280 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sarnia-Lambton, 6,250 recoveries and 91 related deaths.

There are 17 active outbreaks, up one from Tuesday.

Bluewater Health is reporting another death linked to the virus. It is the 79th related death at the hospital since the start of the pandemic. Communications Chief Julia Oosterman said the latest death was a man in his 90s.

There are 35 COVID-positive patients at the Sarnia hospital, up one from Tuesday. Oosterman said 18 of the patients are not vaccinated and 17 are fully vaccinated. Eight of the patients are in intensive care and three patients are on ventilators.

In the last week, over 10,300 booster shots have been administered locally. To date, 77 per cent of eligible residents aged five and up are fully vaccinated, and 81 per cent have had one dose of a vaccine.

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