The number of active COVID-19 cases in Chatham-Kent is the highest it has been in five months.
CK Public Health reported 25 new cases of the COVID-19 virus Thursday, bringing the total number of active cases in the community to 76.
According to Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby, an outbreak that was first recorded on August 26, is now up to eight active cases. He said the cases have been linked to a congregate care setting.
"We only have one small outbreak at the moment," said Colby. "The rest of the cases are linked to other known cases which makes them amenable to the case in the contact tracing process."
He added that the spike in cases was quite "disturbing."
"I hate to see our numbers so high, but this is being paralleled to many health units across Ontario," said Colby. "This is the fourth wave that we have been warning about for quite a while."
President and CEO of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Lori Marshall said eight patients are still being treated in the hospital for COVID-19.
“Two of those individuals are in the ICU, and the remaining six are on our medical unit.”
She also said that none of the patients being treated for COVID-19 are fully vaccinated.
In Chatham-Kent, adults aged 18+ have an 80 per cent first-dose coverage rate and a full vaccination rate of 73 per cent. Youth aged 12 to 17 have a 62 per cent first-dose coverage rate and a full vaccination rate of 49 per cent.
The municipality announced Wednesday that bus fares will continue to be waived for any rider using public transit for travel to or from COVID-19 vaccine appointments and walk-in clinics. The policy has been extended until September 30.
"Riders are to let the driver know they are going to or from a vaccine appointment at the time of boarding," the statement read.
Meanwhile, CK Public Health is still offering pop-up vaccination clinics throughout the community. The next upcoming clinic will be on Thursday, September 9 at Tilbury District High School for students and their families from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A full list of pop-up clinic dates for September can be found here.
