The latest opioid report from Chatham-Kent (CK) Public Health shows another three deaths in Chatham-Kent in July believed to be linked to drug overdoses.
The three deaths bring the total number of suspected drug-related deaths in CK for May, June, and July to 10. There have been 28 such deaths during the first seven months of 2026.
Health unit officials noted the suspected drug-related death rate through July remained 2.5 times higher than the provincial rate at 24.3 per 100,000 in CK compared to 9.6 per 100,000 in Ontario.
The health unit also said the opioid overdose death rate in CK year-to-date is 6.9 per cent, more than double the provincial average of 3.0 per cent.
CK Public Health said the "significant lag" in reporting opioid overdose deaths is due to toxicology testing, coroner investigations, and case reviews taking longer to complete.
In July, EMS responded to 37 suspected opioid overdose calls, an 85 per cent increase compared to the previous month. Those EMS calls bring the total to 218 until the end of July, the report showed.
CKHA emergency departments (ED) also saw a 167 per cent jump month-over-month in opioid overdose visits during the month of July, up to 24 from nine the previous month. According to the opioid report, there were 154 ED visits as of July 31.
Public health officials noted CK's rate of opioid overdose visits to the ED is still more than double the provincial rate (133.6 per 100,000 in CK compared to 49.8 per 100,000 in Ontario).
