Windsor Regional Hospital sees most COVID-19 patients on ventilators in Ont. outside of GTA

Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) has the most patients on ventilatorsin critical care with COVID-19 in Ontario,outside of the Toronto-area.

Right now, 11 peopleare on ventilators in Windsor who are being treated for the coronavirus. WRH CEO David Musyjdescribes the overall COVID-19 situation in hospital as "relatively stable."

"We're well equipped and we've increased our critical care capacity," said Musyj. "From a ventilation point of view, we're OK."

The number of COVID-19 positive patients at WRHis in the mid-20s, which has remained steady for the last few days and has fluctuated in recent weeks.

Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens, Essex County warden Gary McNamara, hospital CEOs and the regional health unit hosted a town hallWednesday afternoonto answer the public's questions about COVID-19.

Musyj said the situation is "better than what was projected as this time." Helikens the COVID-19 pandemic to a war. He's suggesting everyone double their efforts to help slow the spread.

At Leamington's Erie Shores HealthCare, they're currently treating one person with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

CEO Janice Dawson said those numbers are "encouraging," but they're not letting up on the precautions currently in place and anticipates the county will see higher numbers.

"We're optimistic we're not seeing that big surge as projected," said Dawson.

Erie Shores HealthCare also announced Wednesday it would open a COVID-19 assessment centrewithin the hospital, starting Thursday.

You can watch the full town hall update at Windsor Regional Hospital's Facebook page.

WATCH| Windsor-EssexCOVID-19town hall:

Janice Kaffer said it's critical to understandthere are three hospital oraganizations in the region that have "unique" responsibilities.

"One of our main jobs is to make sure the acute care system could work," said Kaffer.

Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) has opened up unused space and converted office space to help take some patients from acute care hospitals.

The organization has hired 63 new people at HDGH to assist, as they are now 84 per cent full.

One member of the public asked the panel if anyone is considering a forced lockdown.

"At this stage I don't think it's necessary to use the big stick," said Essex County Warden and Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara.

He said the public appears to be doing what health officials are asking them to do when it comes to self-isolating, physical distancing and staying home.

"To be heavy-handed at this stage, I don't think it's necessary at this stage," said McNamara.

When it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE), WRH said it was "well stocked" at the beginning of this pandemic.

As it stands now, the Erie St. Clair healthcare team has been able to replenish a lot of its stock and there are "irons in the fire" with larger shipments of PPE coming.

"It's in a good position now"for the next three or four weeks, said Musyj."We still need to conserve it the best we can."

The virtual town hall comes as the region saw408 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our community an addition of 59 cases since Tuesday.

"We're pretty much in the middle of everything right now," said Dr. Wajid Ahmed, the region's medical officer of health.

The health unit reported three people have died due tothe disease caused by the virus on Tuesday, totalling16 deaths in the region.