The Windsor-Essex region has surpassed a dreadful milestone today with 401 COVID-19 related deaths.
The Windsor Essex County Health Unit reported three new deaths associated with the virus, two men in their 70s and a woman in her 80s. All three were members of the general population.
There were also 32 new cases reported bringing the total number of active cases to 281. Among the new cases, 8 are close contacts of confirmed cases, one is outbreak-relation, eight are community-acquired and 15 are still under investigation.
Since the beginning of February, there have been 38 cases linked to variants of concern. Two of the cases have been confirmed as the UK variant.
As the variants become more prevalent in the area, CEO and Chief Nursing Officer Theresa Marentette is asking people to limit their contacts.
"We're finding that people have more contacts than usual," said Marentette. "So if you are limiting to your household members and then as you go to work and come home, really limit your contacts, this will all help."
Local hospitals are currently treating 31 people who have tested positive for COVID-19, four are in the intensive care unit.
A COVID-19 outbreak was also declared at the Salvation Army's Centre of Hope in downtown Windsor. The health unit lifted an outbreak at the shelter on Sunday that was initially declared in mid-February. On Tuesday, the site issued a release stating it was resuming outbreak status following one positive case at the shelter.
The health unit is monitoring 14 active outbreaks throughout the community. The outbreak on the 7 North unit of Windsor Regional Hospital has been resolved. There are no active outbreaks at Windsor Regional Hospital at this time.
