Lambton’s medical officer of health isn’t surprised to see the number of COVID-19 cases surge in Ontario.

And he says it is inevitable Lambton will see more people infected during the second wave.

The province is reporting 700 more people have tested positive in Ontario today – that’s the highest number of cases since the pandemic began.

The centre of the second wave of cases is clearly the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto had 344 new cases today, Peel had 104 and York reported 56.

That, Dr. Sudit Ranade says, was not unexpected. “Every place around the world showed that as they open up more places…the case numbers go up…that’s what we’re seeing now…we expected that will happen.

“The more spaces you open up for people to congregate, the more cases you’ll have.”

While the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario has hit a record high, Lambton reported only one person had tested positive over the weekend. There have now been seven cases in the region in all of September.

Ranade says that could change very quickly. During a Monday news conference, Ranade says some people in Lambton are not as concerned about the rising number of COVID-19 cases because it is concentrated in large cities.

“Just because it is over there, doesn’t mean its not here,” he says.

“Essentially, it is only a matter of time…and it will be largely linked to travel patterns out of our jurisdiction.”

Ranade says people have to have “The COVID talk” with family, asking “what are the risks they’re willing to accept by meeting” before getting together.

And he recommends “severely limiting social circles” to keep the number of people you associate with limited since each one of those people has had contact with others.

The province has already limited indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25.

It also ordered bars and restaurants to move last call to 11 pm and close by midnight. It also closed down strip clubs across the province.