Although the COVID-19 case rate remains high in Windsor-Essex, the Medical Officer of Health is hopeful the region has hit its plateau.
The region has a current case rate of 309 cases per 100,000 population, a slight dip from last week, but still the second-highest case rate in the province.
“Because of our high case rates, I would anticipate that it would take us more than two weeks, at least up to four weeks, to really be in a position where we start to feel more comfortable, and say yes, maybe the worst is behind us,” said Dr. Wajid Ahmed.
In addition to a slightly lower case rate, the percentage of tests coming back positive for the virus has also declined slightly from last week. It now sits at 11.4 per cent. Last week 12.3 per cent of tests came back positive.
“It’s just a single week decrease that we have seen in both of these indicators. It is a good sign, but I think overall, we have to recognize that we still have a long way to go,” said Dr. Ahmed. “If you are starting too high it will take you longer to go down.”
On Friday morning, the Windsor Essex County Health Unit reported 171 new cases of the virus in the region. There are now 2,721 active cases in the community.
Another seven residents of Windsor-Essex have died after contracting COVID-19. Five deaths were among residents of long-term care and retirement facilities. A woman in her 60’s, two women in their 80s, and a man and a woman in their 90’s passed away after contracting the virus. Two deaths were among residents of the general population. A man in his 60’s and a man in his 70’s passed away.
Among the active cases in the community, 121 are receiving treatment in local hospitals and 19 are in the intensive care unit.