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
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.