Windsor-Essex reports 1 new death as COVID-19 hospitalizations climb

A man in his 80s who had COVID-19has died, bringing the death toll in Windsor-Essex to 597 as of Monday, according to the public health unit.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) also reported 259new high-risk cases of COVID-19 have been identified since Friday, and354are active overall.

Currently only high-risk groupsare eligible for apolymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in Ontario.

Meanwhile, hospitalizations are continuing to climb with 61 people currentlyin hospital, including two in intensive care. Two weeks ago, only38 people were hospitalized.

Officials at Windsor Regional Hospital said last week they are bracing for a "difficult month"amid the sixth wave of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, provincial officialsannounced Monday that COVID-19treatment options for higher risk groups will be expanded.

Effective immediately, the following groups are eligible for COVID-19 testing and assessment to receive antiviral treatments such as the drugPaxlovid:

• Immunocompromised adults.
• Those 70 and over.
• Those 60 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses.
• Those 18 and over with riskcondition and fewer than three vaccine doses.

In Windsor-Essex, there are currently 21active outbreaks of COVID-19. A dozenof the outbreaks are at long-term care or retirement homes, four are on hospital units and there are fivecommunity outbreaks.

WECHU seeking feedback

WECHU has launched a public survey seeking feedback as it searches for a new office.

The health unit is currently located at1005 Ouellette Ave. but its lease expires at the end of next year.

The site selection process is expected to be complete by August, according to an update shared at a board of health meeting earlier this year.