128 Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19, Outbreaks At 3 Long Term Care Homes, Thursday Morning

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Last updated: Thursday April 2nd, 11:08am

The Windsor Essex County Health Unit has announced 36 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex as of Thursday, bringing the local total to 128.

Dr. Wajid Ahmed says a third long term care home — Lifetimes on Riverside — has an outbreak. The outbreak includes one positive case of COVID-19 in a staff member. The facility has implemented outbreak management and the WECHU health inspection team has been in contact with them for support.

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The Health Unit announced two confirmed cases on Wednesday within the staff population of Country Village Homes in Woodslee, and one confirmed case of COVID-19 within the staff population of AMICA in Windsor.

Dr. Ahmed says there are both staff and patients who are being investigated for exposure to COVID-19. “I believe there are residents who are currently being investigated right now and we’re waiting for some of the results on those symptomatic patients,” he said.

Dr. Ahmed says the Health Unit is treating the situations at the facilities as outbreaks in order to try and contain the spread.

“If we know that there are respiratory symptoms or someone who has an infection, the likelihood of others contracting [COVID-19] is much higher,” he said. “So right now we are treating it as an outbreak that has spread in the long term care home.”

“All those control measures that we are trying to put into place is to ensure that we can contain it.”

Dr. Ahmed says once an outbreak is declared, the Health Unit works directly with the homes to put control measures into place such as identifying those who are sick and isolating sick patients where necessary. He said Health Inspectors ensure that all of the protective and preventative measures are in place.

Dr. Ahmed said the facilities are responsible to inform residents, staff and families of the outbreak.

“Historically that’s done by the homes to the staff and others involved,” he said. “The homes usually take the lead in informing the families and the people who have their loved ones in the facility and they do it in a timely manner.”

The Health Unit said Wednesday that residents and staff at both AMICA and Country Village Homes had been notified.

As of Thursday morning, the Health Unit says 1,237 people have been tested and 268 tests are still pending.

“I continue to urge you, please do not go outside if you don’t have to,” said Dr. Ahmed. “People who are not sick, and do not have any symptoms: spend time with your family, do not meet with anyone who doesn’t live with you, and break the chain of transmission by not contracting the disease in the first place and then not spreading it to others.”

Provincial Guidance & Restrictions from Wednesday

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 April 15th:

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 communal or shared public or private, outdoor recreational amenities everywhere in Ontario including gardens, parks, sports fields beaches, etc.

Closure of all Ontario Parks to visitors

Closure of all licenced child care centres

Closure of all public schools

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)

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

Recommendations from Dr. Wajid Ahmed, Medical Officer of Health from Wednesday

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: