The Windsor Essex County Health Unit is reporting 36 new cases of COVID-19 in the community, with 33 linked to the agri-food sector.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed said the cases come from multiple facilities and include employees living in migrant farm residences as well as in the community. Dr. Ahmed said the Ministry of Labour conducts inspections at workplaces where COVID-19 cases are present and make recommendations to keep employees safe. However, if they are not taking the necessary precautions, the health unit could be in a position to close the facility.
"If we feel that any facility is not doing the work that they should in terms of protecting their employees or if the case numbers are significant enough that would warrant us to consider shutting down the facility, we will do that," said Dr. Ahmed.
Last week, the health unit reported 13 cases at Lakeside Produce but would not identify the other facilities where cases have been reported.
"These are private businesses that we are talking about. If the risk to the community were there I would be the first one to report that, to disclose that because there would be some public health action attached to it. Right now we are talking about 8,000 to 10,000 workers in our community, we're talking about more than 170 business establishments and we'll have to take a look from the risk to the community perspective if the risk is there I will be the first to report it," said Dr. Ahmed.
To date 15,083 people have been tested for the virus in the region and 912 cases have been confirmed. Of the confirmed cases, 479 people have recovered and 63 people have passed away. The health unit is waiting for 777 test results. There are currently four long-term care and retirement facilities experiencing outbreaks.
