Lambton Public Health is reporting the 14th local death due to COVID-19.
Bluewater Health Communications Chief Julia Oosterman said the latest death is a 69-year-old man who was hospitalized on March 28 after a trip to the Dominican Republic.
As of Monday morning, there were 145 cases across Sarnia-Lambton, up 13 from Sunday with two more people recovering for a total of 50.
Lambton Public Health said the number of cases linked to the outbreak at Sarnia's Landmark Village retirement home increased by 11 to 34, including eight staff and 26 residents. Six of the 14 local deaths are related to that facility.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Monday morning that he's not surprised by the new numbers at Landmark, or overall, because of an increase in testing.
"With more testing you know you're going to pick up more," said Ranade. "But also, we know just even based on the swing of this outbreak that we were going to pick up more cases, either coming into the emergency room for example or through long-term care for example."
As of Monday morning, there have been 984 tests conducted locally, with 839 coming back negative.
Dr. Ranade stressed the importance of continuing to physically distance and follow all other pandemic protocols.
He added the health unit is investigating after a local taxi driver tested positive for COVID-19. A public alert was sent out Sunday evening urging fares who used Greg's Taxi service on certain days earlier this month to call public health at 519-383-8331.
"This is a bit different because if you're in a fast-food restaurant or something like that and you just drive through and you pick up food, we don't deem that as being a close contact. But, if you're in a closed air space with somebody like a car for 15 to 20 minutes, there's a possibility that that exposure might be increased to a meaningful level, and so we would deem those folks close contacts."
Bluewater Health said Monday that there were 16 patients still in hospital with the virus and 14 suspected of having it with tests pending.
Chief of Staff Doctor Mike Haddad said the numbers are encouraging.
"We are still waiting for the results," said Haddad. "That is down from 28 positives last week. Even our sickest patients in the ICU, we have less as well."
-With files from Sue Storr and Dave Dentinger
