Lambton Public Health is reporting 15 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 today.

That’s the largest increases in cases since Lambton registered its first case of COVID-19 March 25.

Officials with Lambton Public Health say the cases are linked to a few of the same families, in the rural community but with connections to family in urban centres. The families have been told to self isolate and get tested for COVID-19.

Dr. Sudit Ranade, Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health, says in a news release he expects there will be more cases from this group of families early next week.

“The importance of moving quickly to limit the transmission of the virus is a critical public health measure to reduce additional community spread.”

Public health officials are following up and say there are likely to be more people required to self isolate and get tested. Others may be directed to watch for symptoms of the viral infection – that could include people whom some of the people who are now COVID-19 positive have worked with.

Ranade says this shows how important it is to keep within a small circle of people for close socializing. The province says people may have close contact with up to 10 people. Everyone else should be kept at a distance of at least two meters.

“Please continue to take precautions and follow the public health safety measures. The virus can quickly spread among close contacts so keep your social circle small – limit is 10, and be very diligent if you choose to attend a larger gathering.”

Public health safety measures include staying home when sick, practicing physical distancing with others outside your social circle, use good hand hygiene, and wearing a mask if required or if physical distancing is not possible.  

Public health officials will update the public website this evening. At that time there will be 317 COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Lambton so far with 27 active cases right now.