Deaths related to COVID-19 reach 18 in Chatham-Kent
COVID-19 claimed another life in Chatham-Kent Wednesday evening after a hospital patient passed away.
“It’s the first due to COVID for some time,” stated Lori Marshall, president and CEO of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
Marshall did not give out the person’s gender or age, but Chatham-Kent’s Medical Health Officer, Dr. David Colby said, “the person was unvaccinated.”
It brought the total number of COVID deaths in Chatham-Kent to 18.
Marshall said 13 people who tested positive remain under the care of CKHA with five individuals in the Intensive Care Unit and four of them on ventilators.
However, Marshall added so far 87 per cent of hospital staff were fully vaccinated with 7 per cent who had already had a first dose.
The hospital has given its staff, volunteers, and contractors until Oct. 31 to be fully vaccinated, or face possible employment termination.
She attributed the higher rate to new rules, “it’s much higher than when we introduced the vaccination policy.”
Still, Marshall said she was aware some workers planned to submit a human rights challenge, and added a review was underway to assess what impact there would be to service by losing staff who refuse to immunize.
Meanwhile, Chatham-Kent Public Health reported 112 active cases and a percentage of positivity rate of 5.3 per cent.
Colby said the high rate was because of testing methodology as the jurisdiction assesses a wider population, and does not just target individuals with symptoms.
He was generally pleased after the first day of vaccine passports as no charges were laid, but said there were many questions from business people.
“They don’t like turning people away who are potential customers and concerned about the responsibility they have checking vaccine receipts,” he said.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said he expected a wholesome debate on Monday evening when council is scheduled to discuss a vaccination policy for themselves, similar to a policy being drafted for municipal workers at its regular meeting Monday evening.
Canniff said it is an important step and added, “we have to lead by example.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.