CK Public Health has provided more details about the “rapid rise” of COVID-19 cases over the holidays in Chatham-Kent.
Public health officials have reported 30 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, January 4, 2021, which brings the number of active cases to 125.
“From Dec 27 to Jan 2 the rate of new infections reported in CK more than doubled from the previous week… from about 50 to over 100 cases per 100,000,” CK Public Health officials said in a press release.
“The majority of active cases are household or close contacts of previously reported cases, and several are outbreak-related. Nevertheless, there is a growing number without a known exposure… no epi-link to a case, an outbreak or travel.”
CK Public Health officials added: “The rapid rise in positive cases in Chatham-Kent over the past two weeks is concerning but is not limited to CK. Case numbers are rising across Ontario as was predicted by provincial modelling. The main source of our local cases appears to be close contact during indoor gatherings over the holidays, often with people from high prevalence jurisdictions.”
Public health officials say so far they have been able to trace and isolate the contacts of all positive cases and they are working with the Province to get the vaccine here as soon as possible.
“I want to remind everyone to respect the lockdown conditions, stay home as much as possible and do not host or attend indoor gatherings” stated Dr. David Colby, Medical Officer of Health for Chatham-Kent, in a press release.
The people testing positive on Monday were exposed up to two weeks ago, CK Public Health officials say.
“With increased contacts over the holiday period, Chatham-Kent is likely to see increased case numbers for some time,” CK Public Health officials say.
“Stay home except for essential reasons and limit contact with others as much as possible.”
CK Public Health has also changed it’s COVID-19 status update on the website from 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 a.m, Monday to Friday.
“Status updates will now include only confirmed cases and outbreaks compiled by CK Public Health up to the end of the previous day,” public health officials say.
“This change aims to improve consistency of daily case counts and reporting practices between CK Public Health and the Province of Ontario.”
More details about the ‘current situation’ in Chatham-Kent from Monday can be seen, here.
