The Windsor Essex County Health Unit has issued an alert after 26 opioid-related emergency department visits in the last seven days.
Between July 6 and July 13, there have been 18 overdose visits and eight non-overdose-related visits all involving fentanyl. There were also 8 non-overdose methamphetamine emergency department visits.
The health unit said this is above historical numbers and exceeds the expected thresholds.
The health unit surveillance system monitors these visits and puts out alerts in an effort to establish links between the cases. Anyone who may be aware of links is encouraged to call the health unit.