The region has reached another dour milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Windsor Essex County Health Unit reported an additional eight deaths Wednesday, bringing the total number of lives lost connected to COVID-19 to 303. Six residents of long term care and retirement homes and two members of the general community between the ages of 60 and 100 passed away after contracting the virus.
“As we reported earlier, death is a lagging indicator so whatever we are seeing is a result of the cases we have seen at least two to three weeks before,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed. “It’s unfortunate that we still have these deaths in the community but with our most vulnerable residents of the long-term care home and retirement home protected we hope to see that number go down.”
As the region surpassed the milestone, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is asking people to continue to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"For 300 families in our region, life will never be the same. The passing of a loved one is always difficult. This past year, too many have had to cope with their personal losses from a distance. Unable, due to public health regulations, to be with their loved ones in their final hours. I can’t imagine their grief. Being able to hold the hand of a loved-one in their final moments is an act of love and kindness this pandemic has taken from over 300 Windsor-Essex residents. It underscores the trauma that COVID-19 has wrought, the world over," said Dilkens.
The health unit also reported 55 new cases of the virus in the region on Wednesday. There have been 11,915 confirmed cases in Windsor-Essex since March. The number of resolved cases also continues to rise, with 10,679 people having recovered from the virus.
There are 939 active cases in the community. The last time the health unit was carrying this caseload was around December 17.
Local hospitals are treating 92 patients with COVID-19. Twelve patients are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.
"I know we are all tired of social distancing, frustrated with lining up at Costco, and unable to visit friends for a simple dinner party. But today, somewhere in our community, there are more than 300 families who would gladly line up for 24 hours just to have one more day with someone they lost to COVID-19," said Dilkens.