Windsor-Essex meets criteria for red zone of COVID-19 restrictions: health unit

After nearly two months of lockdown, the region's top public health doctor says Windsor-Essex meets the criteria for the less stringent redzone of restrictions, a change that could come as early as next week.

But Dr. Wajid Ahmed stressedthat even though the COVID-19 situation is improving, there is still a global pandemic andthe threathasn't gone away.

"Our case rates are still high much higher than where wewere before in September or October timelines. So there is this potential, and we have seen that, that things can change very quickly," Ahmedsaid at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit's daily briefing on Tuesday.

Under a new provincial plan to gradually ease COVID-19 restrictionsannounced Monday, Windsor-Essex will stay under currentthe stay-at-home order until at least Feb. 16. Any decision about whether restrictions can be relaxed will take effect after that date.

'No right answer'

In reacting to the provincial plan, Ahmed acknowledged the difficulties of balancing public health with other interests such asthe economy and mental health. He said there was "no right answer."

"It's understandable that the governmentis trying to balance that risk, and I think [locally and individually] we also have to understand that it's not only the governmentthat will solve all our problems it's us, too."

Ahmed said that the region's data would be reviewed and the province would make a decision. There hasn't been word on when that announcement is expected but, as Ahmed noted, the province typically has announced such changes on Fridays.

Windsor-Essex has been under a lockdown since mid-December. But currently, with new cases arising at a rate of approximately 40 to 50 per 100,000, the region meets the criteria for the red "control" zone, Ahmedsaid.

Redis the second-strictest set of rules in the province's five-colour public health restrictionsframework. It would see capacity increased to 75 per cent at supermarkets and other stores that sell essentials, and 50 per cent for other retail.

It would also mean that indoor dining can resume at limited capacity and many personal care services can be offered.

19 new cases of COVID-19

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unitreported two new deaths on Tuesday, along with19new COVID-19 cases. Fiveof the new cases are close contacts of previously confirmed cases, twocases are outbreak related and four were community acquired. The remaining seven are under investigation.

Throughout the region there are 314 known cases of the virus that are currently active.

Since the pandemic began, there have been 12,393COVID-19 cases recorded in Windsor-Essex and 345deaths, according to WECHU.

There are 53COVID-19 patients hospital in the region, with 12 in the ICU.

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The number of outbreaks, which has declined considerably in recent days, stands at 24 as of Tuesday. There is one community outbreak, atKensington Court Retirement Residence.

Four of the outbreaks are at hospitals -- two at Windsor Regional Hospital and two atHotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.

Outbreaks areactive at nineworkplaces:

• Three in Leamington's agriculturalsector.
• One in Kingsville's agriculturalsector.
• One in Tecumseh'shealth care and social assistance sector.
• Twoin Windsor's manufacturing sector.
• One in Tecumseh's manufacturing sector.
• One in Windsor's public administration sector.

There are 10active outbreaks at long-term care and retirement facilities:

• Franklin Gardens in Leamington, with 34resident cases and 14staff cases.
• Heron Terrace in Windsor, with tworesident cases and twostaff cases.
• Regency Park in Windsor, with 22resident cases and 15staff cases.
• Devonshire Retirement Residence in Windsor, with 48resident cases and ninestaff cases.
• Rosewood Erie Glen in Leamington,with 42resident cases and 10staff cases.
• Augustine Villas in Kingsville, with 66resident cases and 20staff cases.
• Sunrise Assisted Living of Windsor, with 15resident cases and ninestaff cases.
• Huron Lodge in Windsor, with 48resident cases and 26staff cases.
• Berkshire Care Centre in Windsor, with 99resident cases and 62staff cases.
• The Village at St. Clair in Windsor, with 174resident cases and 139staff cases.