The number of active COVID-19 cases in Chatham-Kent is continuing to rise while vaccination rates stand still.
CK Public Health reported Thursday that there are 31 active cases of the COVID-19 virus in the community.
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby says almost all of the active COVID-19 cases involve people who have not been given a COVID-19 vaccination.
"This has been consistent now for a couple of weeks," said Colby.
According to President and CEO of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Lori Marshall, one person is in the ICU with a COVID-19 related illness.
"Things are changing very rapidly. There has been an increase in the numbers of patients in the ICU around the province," said Colby. "In Chatham-Kent, we have three people in the hospital at the moment who are positive for COVID-19."
Dr. Colby said health officials have been able to link almost every new case of the COVID-19 virus to the Delta variant.
In Chatham-Kent, adults aged 18+ have a 78 per cent first-dose coverage rate and a full vaccination rate of 71 percent. Youth aged 12 to 17 have a 57 per cent first-dose coverage rate and a full vaccination rate of 43 per cent.
"We are still in the foothills not looking at the Matterhorn," said Colby. "The time to act is now. It's becoming increasingly clear that this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated."
