The Windsor Essex County Health Unit is shedding light on its notification protocols after receiving some backlash over recent COVID-19 exposure alerts.
When the health unit is notified of a positive case, the first step is to ensure the individual and their close contacts are self-isolating. The symptom onset date is identified and the health unit begins to identify all exposure possibilities from 48 hours before symptom onset until the day the individual tested positive.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed said at that time they may reach out to businesses and notify the public if the individual visited an establishment.
"In order to protect the interest of the public it is incumbent that we let this information out to help people who visited those establishments," said Dr. Ahmed.
Dr. Ahmed reiterated the alert does not mean the person contracted the virus at the establishment.
On Tuesday morning, the health unit reported 12 new cases of COVID-19. Six were close contacts of a confirmed case, one was a retirement home resident, and four remain under investigation. There are currently 90 active COVID-19 cases in the community.
