Health Unit COVID-19 Morning Update For Monday, March 30th: 44 Total Cases

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Last updated: Monday March 30th, 10:51am

The Windsor Essex County Health Unit has announced 19 more positive cases of COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex bringing the local total to 44.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed says the Health Unit is following up with all the close contacts of the new cases and details related to age and travel history will be released Tuesday.

The Health Unit has provided this chart showing an overview of current confirmed cases by age for Windsor-Essex as of 10:30am, Monday, March 30th, 2020.

As of Monday morning, the Health Unit says 862 people have been tested and 492 tests are still pending. Dr. Ahmed says the Health Unit is receiving a mix of results from the delayed tests from the Toronto lab, and faster results from the new London lab for more recent tests.

Dr. Ahmed says the jump in the number of positive test results over the past several days is due to the delays in testing from the Toronto lab. “We expected this because of the backlog of testing,” he said. Dr. Ahmed says the new lab has a turnaround time of one to two days.

This risk of community transmission is higher than ever according to Dr. Ahmed. “The likelihood of community transmission is very high,” he said. “People should do everything to maintain physical distancing, staying home when they’re sick and going out only when it’s needed.”

Dr. Ahmed says we are at a crucial time in the fight against COVID-19. He said all of the measures we have put in place should soon give us a signal of their effectiveness. “Yesterday British Columbia cautiously reported that they feel that the aggressive measures of physical distancing appear to be working,” he said.

The Health Unit is aware of several people who did not follow the physical distancing requirements. “We know many individuals did not follow the public health direction of self-isolation,” he said. “To them I am urging, please, follow the public health direction on self-isolation.”

“When people are not following the public health direction on physical distancing, and if they have the disease, they are infecting everyone else around them,” said Dr. Ahmed. “Some of these affected individuals will end up in hospital, and a small number of those infected will end up in the ICU.”

“And some may die from COVID-19 as a result of people not self-isolating,” he said. “Please stay home.”

Current Provincial Guidance & Restrictions
The province is providing guidance, recommendations and restrictions on a regular basis to public health. As of March 17th, 2020, under the provincial Emergency Act the following orders are in place until March 31^st:

• Mandatory under the federal Quarantine Act, anyone traveling outside of Canada should self-isolate for 14 days upon return. If symptoms develop during self-isolation, including fever and/or cough call public health at 519-258-2146 ext. 1420.
• Prohibition on organized public events and social gatherings over 5 people (funerals can have up to 10)
• Closure of all Ontario Parks to visitors
• Closure of all licenced child care centres
• Closure of all public schools (Until April 6^th)
• Closure of all public libraries
• Closure of all facilities providing indoor recreational programs
• Closure of all private schools as defined in the Education Act
• Closure of all Theatres and movie theatres
• Closure of all concert venues
• Closure of all Casinos (until further notice)
• Closure of all bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery
• Closure of all non-essential workplaces
• Long Term Care, Retirement Facilities, Hospice, and residential care facilities only permit essential visitors and actively screen visitors for symptoms and travel history, excluding entry if failed screening
• Suspension of all non-essential travel outside of Canada
• Physical distancing (2 Metres)

These orders will remain in place until March 31, 2020, when the province will reassess for an extension or end the closures. Orders are being actively enforced.

Be advised that there is currently a state of emergency declared for the City of Windsor and the County of Essex

Current recommendations from Dr. Wajid Ahmed, Medical Officer of Health
Dr. Wajid Ahmed supports all of the recommendations and restrictions provided by the Government of Ontario for the City of Windsor and County of Essex. As well Dr. Ahmed recommends:

• All residents returning from travel outside of Canada self-isolate for 14-days upon return, including essential workers returning from non-essential travel.
• Seniors and high risk individuals should avoid any non-essential trips and stay home as much as possible.
• Commuters that cross to Detroit for work purposes should consider work from home options with their employer where possible and regularly self-monitor for any symptoms including taking their temperature.
• Employers in Windsor and Essex should make arrangements for their employees to work from home whenever possible. If work from home is not an option, please ensure that your workplace follows the 2 meter physical distancing measure to ensure the safety and well-being of all employees and the community.
• Healthcare workers especially those who work in long term care homes and are employed in multiple settings should work with their employers to restrict their work to one institution (whenever possible) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Physicians should screen clients over the phone and refer as appropriate.
• Implement your emergency preparedness plan to ensure you have what you need in case of self-isolation.
• Wash hands with soap & water thoroughly and often.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue. Dispose of tissue immediately and wash your hands.
• Keep surfaces clean and disinfected.
• Stay home when you are sick; call your health care provider for advice and take the online self assessment tool for COVID-19.