A COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care home in Chatham is the latest to be declared as cases keep rising in the municipality.
The public health unit in Chatham-Kent reported on Friday that an outbreak has been declared at Copper Terrace long-term care home in Chatham. The outbreak was declared on Thursday when a staff member tested positive for the virus.
The two COVID-19 outbreaks that were declared March 7 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) continue in the dialysis unit and lab services. There are five cases between the two departments. CKHA CEO Lori Marshall said there are six staff members in isolation linked to the outbreaks. Two of them are positive for the virus.
The number of local active cases has jumped again. Local public health officials reported 19 new cases and four resolved cases for a total of 61 active cases.
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby said on Thursday the recent surge in cases can be traced back to indoor gatherings.
There are no school outbreaks even though student cases have increased slightly in the last few days. There are also no workplace outbreaks. Dr. Colby previously said workplace outbreaks have been a big problem because people were going to work sick. To date, there have been 21 workplace outbreaks, 13 institutional outbreaks, five in congregate living, three in schools, and one community outbreak.
Just over 12,500 vaccines have been administered across Chatham-Kent as of Friday morning. To date, more than 10 per cent of the community has received their first shot.
Chatham-Kent remains in the Orange-Restrict level of the provincial health and safety measures and restrictions. However, the province announced on Friday afternoon that Sarnia-Lambton has been moved to the Grey-Lockdown level.
