By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For the first time in a long while, the number of active cases of COVID-19 in Chatham-Kent returned to double digits on Monday.
Eight new cases were reported over the weekend bringing the total number in the municipality to 14 at that time.
No resolved cases were reported.
One new case was reported Tuesday against one resolved.
Although each case had yet to be fully investigated, Chatham-Kent Public Health officials said all cases are unvaccinated residents.
All are presumed to be the highly contagious Delta variant.
Chatham-Kent’s Medical Officer of Health said the virus is bound to spread among those who didn’t get the shot.
Dr. David Colby said it is “inevitable” that the municipality would see more cases of the Delta variant.
“It is spreading in the unvaccinated population, of which, despite our efforts, we have quite a number,” Colby said Monday.
“We have had a slight increase in cases over the past few days,” Colby noted, adding the health unit is closely following all cases, ensuring contact tracing and proper testing and isolating takes place.
There’s also one reported case of COVID-19 at Riverview Gardens nursing home, but due to privacy concerns. Other published reports indicate it was an employee.
An outbreak at a facility is only declared if there are two or more cases, according to Ministry of Long-Term Care regulations.
The push for a “two dose” summer is on, as the rate of first doses begins to slow.
Colby said the vaccine is ready and available.
“It’s still not too late to roll up your sleeve,” Colby said. “We want to make this a two-dose summer.”
As of Monday, 126,397 doses of vaccine have been given out locally. Of those in residents age 12 years and up, 69,408 are first doses, while 58,878 are fully immunized with two doses.
In order to facilitate people getting the shot, public health has removed eligibility barriers.
Walk-in appointments for both the first and second doses are now being accepted at the Bradley Centre mass vaccination site.
Public health workers are continuing to take the vaccine to the people as well. A clinic at Kingston Park last Friday saw 55 people get the shot.
For more information, consult GetYourShotCK.ca on the CK Public Health website.
