The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is hoping that people celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday safely and responsibly.
Places of businesses may have increased capacity and more places may be opening, but the health unit has issued some recommendations to ensure Thanksgiving is a safe one for everybody.
"We know that majority of our cases of COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex are the Delta variant, which is more transmissible especially in indoor settings and among those that are not fully vaccinated," said health unit CEO Nicole Dupuis in a media release. "With this in mind, the risk of transmission during gatherings such as dinner parties and family events is very high."
The health unit added that last year, a spike in cases between Thanksgiving and Christmas helped punctuate the second wave of COVID-19 in the area. Despite more people getting vaccinated, residents are being urged to keep up with the precautions.
People are asked to social distance, wear masks when possible, and use hand sanitizer. The health unit also suggests holding dinner outdoors and keeping your group at the smallest number possible. Lower-risk virtual celebrations can be planned for those who aren't vaccinated or can't attend.
"Any indoor social gathering, especially dining events, remains a high-risk activity," said Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai. "With approximately 70,000 eligible residents not fully vaccinated, we should all carefully consider who we invite into our homes. It is important to ask guests not to attend a family event if they are having any symptoms. There are steps that we can all take to contain COVID-19."
Complete information and tips on how to hold a safe gathering of any kind can be found on the health unit's official website.
