10 new cases today, two more workplace outbreaks

Journal Staff After months of relative calm Sarnia-Lambton’s COVID-19 caseload has started to rise again. Lambton Public Health reported 10 new cases today, the largest jump since the pandemic’s early days.

Journal Staff

After months of relative calm Sarnia-Lambton’s COVID-19 caseload has started to rise again.

Lambton Public Health reported 10 new cases today, the largest jump since the pandemic’s early days.

The local infection rate has risen steadily this month, with 60 new cases now confirmed since Dec. 1.

The 34 active cases reported today is also the highest number since the first wave swept through Sarnia-Lambton this spring.

Two more people — in their 70s and 80s — died of COVID-related complications this past week.

And two more workplace outbreaks were reported today, bringing the total number to four.

Sarnia-Lambton has now had 470 confirmed cases and 27 deaths since March.

One of the new workplace outbreaks is at the Insignia Hotel on Christina Street. In a Facebook post, the hotel said despite adhering to all pandemic safety precautions two of its employees tested positive.

As a result, the Legacy restaurant and Regner’s Tudor Lounge are temporarily closed, it said.

Workplace outbreaks are also underway in the Chemical Valley, where two employees at Shell Canada and two contractors at Nova Chemicals contracted the virus.

The number of people being treated for COVID-19 at Bluewater Health has also increased, from zero a week ago to four today.

And 26 students are isolating at home after one student was confirmed positive at St. Patrick’s High School, the St. Clair Catholic District School Board said.

The high school remains open.