Windsor-Essex Acting Medical Officer of Health Doctor Shanker Nesathurai.  IPhoto from YouTube update on September 16, 2021)Windsor-Essex Acting Medical Officer of Health Doctor Shanker Nesathurai. IPhoto from YouTube update on September 16, 2021)
Windsor

Health unit warns about parties as COVID-19 caseload increases

With the active caseload continuing to rise in Windsor-Essex, the local health unit is asking people to carefully consider who they have over for the holidays.

There were 89 new cases of COVID-19 reported Wednesday morning. The active caseload in the region is up to 571, from 533 on Tuesday.

While he does not see the need for increased public health measures at this point, Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai is still concerned about the potential for further spread.

"With or without any public health direction, I would ask every person who has been contemplating having a party to think about, do they really need to have the party? And if they do, how many people really have to be there, and are the people coming to the party vaccinated?" said Nesathurai.

Nesathurai said that repeatedly, exposures that seemed minor at the time have escalated into outbreaks.

"We have had exposures in schools that lead to exposures at recreational events like pickup hockey, which ultimately lead to exposures at a party," said Nesathurai. "I think we all have a part to play in trying to contain COVID-19."

Health Unit CEO Nicole Dupuis' chief issue is that people may not be heeding advice to isolate when told to do so, putting a strain on health unit resources used to investigate new cases.

"One of our key messages is if you've been directed by public health to isolate, you need to isolate, and that includes all activities," said Dupuis. "We're concerned that we are seeing and hearing maybe not-as-strict adherence to some of those public health recommendations."

Out of the cases reported Wednesday, 37 came from close contact with positive people, 15 from the community, two through travel, and one outbreak-related. The remaining 34 are under investigation.

There are 28 active outbreaks in Windsor-Essex with ten in workplaces and eight apiece in schools and the community. Three of the school outbreaks included Malden Central Public School in Amherstburg, St. John Vianney Catholic Elementary in Windsor, and Stella Maris Catholic Elementary in Amherstburg.

Two additional cases are reported at Ste. Marguerite d'Youville French Catholic Elementary in Tecumseh. Those cases are the only regional ones in the French-language Catholic board.

The health unit reported 23 COVID-19 patients in area hospitals.

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