Asymptomatic cases make up 25 per cent of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex.
That's according to the latest epidemiological summary prepared by the Windsor Essex County Health Unit.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed said most of those cases were found while testing workers in the agricultural sector.
"The one farm that we have seen a huge spike in the number of cases. The majority of them were asymptomatic and that's what is driving that number. But the majority of the cases that otherwise we are seeing in the community and everywhere else are all symptomatic cases," said Dr. Ahmed.
Dr. Ahmed said the test used to detect COVID-19 cannot differentiate between an active infection and an infection in the last 90 days.
"Anyone who has been diagnosed we can't really say if they are asymptomatic whether they are truly asymptomatic or if they have had symptoms in the past," said Dr. Ahmed.
Dr. Ahmed said most research shows a person will only spread the virus in the first eight to 10 days of the infection.
In the last 30 days, 87 per cent of all cases originated in Leamington and Kingsville with only 11 per cent in Windsor.
The most recent data shows the rate of infection in the community has slightly increased due to spikes in cases in the agricultural sector. However, the cases in the general community are still relatively stable.
On Friday, the health unit reported an additional nine cases of COVID-19 in the region. Of the newly reported cases, two were agricultural employees, four were close contacts of a confirmed case and three are still under investigation.