Lambton County getting closer to COVID-19-free status
One of the early hotspots for COVID-19 in Southwestern Ontario, Lambton County now appears to be one of the first regions to show signs of emerging from the grips of the pandemic.
Lambton added four new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases to just six.
For many, it’s a feeling of relief, and a feeling that once again it’s safe to enjoy life and each other’s company.
“I especially missed the girls because these are the people that I rely on and tell everything to, so it’s great to be back with them again,” said Sarnia resident Elizabeth Guindon, who was joined by two friends at the city’s waterfront for a get-together.
It's a simple joy in life that was sorely missed, said Guindon’s friend Bernadette Orrange.
“It was lonely. ‘Cause I’m by myself so it was very lonely because I could only see my daughter. Yeah, it was different.”
Early in the vaccination rollout Lambton adopted the Grey-Bruce model of so-called hockey hub-style clinics. By all accounts it has been a success. The vaccination rate for those eligible is 76 per cent with a single dose, and 66 per cent with two doses.
“I think the fact that the vaccination rates here are so high is testament to the fact that not only do we take it seriously, but we’re worried about our neighbours,” said Sarnia Councillor Mike Stark.
“We’re as optimistic as we’ve ever been, but we can’t celebrate yet,” added Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriot.
He said while the statistics look promising, this is only the beginning of the end, “We know we have the Delta variant. We’re advocating to not stop wearing masks, even if you are vaccinated.”
In the meantime, the push is on to reach those still on the fence when it comes to being vaccinated.
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade is encouraging the holdouts to consider what life could be like in the not-too-distant future.
“Think about how much easier your life is going to be in the fall if you are vaccinated. What I mean by that is, you know, there’s all these conversations around travel and the relationship with vaccinated. The opportunity to mazimize the kinds of things you can do will really be there for people who are vaccinated.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States, injuring at least three people.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.