Two more Chatham-Kent residents have lost their lives to COVID-19.

The latest deaths bring to 72 the number of area residents who’ve succumbed to the virus since March, 2020.

It its weekly update, Chatham-Kent Public Health is reporting another 145 cases of COVID-19 in the community and a seven-day average of 21 new high-risk cases a day.

Another outbreak has been declared at Blenheim Community Village, the second outbreak at the retirement home in the last few months.

Two outbreaks were declared at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Tuesday with hospital-acquired cases in both the Complex Continuing Care Unit and the Medicine B Unit at the Chatham hospital. Those outbreaks are not included in this week’s Public Health Report since it covers the week from May 1-7.

The COVID positivity rate in Chatham-Kent sits at 16.4%, compared to the provincial rate of 13.9%.