The death toll from COVID-19 in Sarnia-Lambton climbed again Wednesday afternoon to six.
Lambton Public Health updated its website at 3:45 p.m. to show 56 confirmed cases, up from 39 Tuesday, and two more deaths for a total of six.
In a late afternoon news release the health unit confirmed that four of the six deaths were affiliated with an outbreak at Landmark Village retirement home in Sarnia. An individual in their 80s, who was admitted to Bluewater Health on March 30, and lab confirmed for COVID-19 on March 30, passed away March 31. A second individual in their 70s was admitted to the hospital March 30, and died March 31. The test result received Wednesday confirmed the individual was positive for COVID-19.
Wednesday morning, Doctor Ranade told Sue Storr on CHOK radio (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) that he anticipates the local case rate will continue to rise over the next week or two.
"I think we have to be prepared for this feeling of even though we're doing what we're supposed to do, cases are going up," said Ranade. "That's really related to transmission that was ongoing before we implemented any of these physical distancing measures and closures."
He also said our proximity to Michigan is a concern.
"I think that the restrictions at the border are going to help tremendously. So that if it's non-essential travel then we're at least limiting that spread. Having said that, the border isn't closed, there are people moving back and forth. I think we have to be cognizant that that presents an ongoing potential source of risk," he said. "I think right now the feeling nationally, apart from the fact of how complicated it is to do things around borders, is that maybe the risk is acceptable given that it's enabling the movement of goods between countries and certain people delivering essential services."
The Bluewater Health website Wednesday had 21 patients in hospital with confirmed COVID-19, and 14 suspected of having the virus with tests pending. Wednesday afternoon the hospital website still said patient deaths remained at four.
-With files from Sue Storr