Lambton Public Health is reporting another 59 cases of the COVID-19 virus today.

Since the pandemic began there have been 1,453 people test positive for the virus. About two thirds of the cases have come in the last month.

On Dec. 17, Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sudit Ranade, told reporters at a news conference number of people infected was “picking up steam” and almost every day since then, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has increased by double digits.

Ninety-three cases were registered on Dec. 31 alone.

Public Health reports today 261 people are actively ill with COVID-19. Bluewater Health has 13 people in hospital with COVID. Another 46 people have recovered.

Health Minister Christine Elliott announced at 10 am this morning that there 2,961 cases reported and over 50,900 tests completed. Most of the cases are in the Metro Toronto area with, 738 new cases in Toronto, 536 in Peel, 245 in Windsor-Essex County, 219 in York Region and 171 in Hamilton.

Seventy four more people died of COVID-19 yesterday including 34 residents of long term care.