CBC Windsor's March 20 COVID-19 update: Windsor declares state of emergency

The City of Windsor declared a state of emergency on Friday, issued by Mayor Drew Dilkens while still voluntarily self-isolating after returning from a personal trip to Jordan. 

In addition to the city's declaration, Devonshire Mall and Tecumseh Mall will be temporarily closed, beginning at the end of normal operating hours on Saturday, March 21 until at least Sunday, April 5. 

Though the malls will be closed starting on Saturday, there are a number of facilities within each location that will remain operational:

• Any retail pharmacy within or attached to either mall.
• Any retail grocery store within or attached to either mall.
• Any restaurant facility, except for those that don't offer takeout or delivery services. 
• Any site directly attached to either mall that cannot be accessed from within the mall.

"Schools, restaurants, churches, community centres, pools, libraries and arenas have shut their doors to help reduce the risk of transmission," said Mayor Dilkens. "This is just the appropriate next step to take as we seek to protect public health."

Windsor-Essex health unit confirms region's first COVID-19 case

A Windsor-Essex man in his 60s has tested positive for COVID-19, the region's public health unit said in a statement issued late Friday evening. 

The man developed symptoms on March 11, one day after returning to Windsor from a Caribbean cruise. He was tested on March 16 at Windsor Regional Hospital's assessment and testing centre. 

The health unit says the man has been self-isolating since he returned, and is currently recovering at home with mild symptoms.

South West Detention Centre maintenance worker tests positive for COVID-19

The Ministry of the Solicitor General confirmed on Friday that a maintenance worker at the South West Detention Centre has tested positive for COVID-19.

The worker was not directly involved with the care or custody of inmates.

A spokesperson said "the ministry undertook a deep clean of the area that the individual was working in," upon receiving this information. 

Staff have also been notified of the confirmed COVID-19 case. 

Recommended closures

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has issued a recommendation calling for the immediate closure of retail stores, including those that sell clothing and apparel, books and home decor. 

Additionally, the public health unit recommended the immediate closure of personal service locations, including hair salons, day spas, tattoo parlours and nail salons.

An official order will be issued on Monday, March 23.

On Friday morning, health unit officials said 260 people have been tested and 150 tests are pending.

The health unit has been informed testing could take up to seven days to be returned, though it hopes that will become quicker once a testing centre opens in London, Ont. 

Watch the health unit's Friday update here:

More information from the health unit can be found on its website. 

Here's what else is happening in our area.

• Hiram Walker & Sons to produce, donate hand sanitizer

• Windsor's Dr. Jeff Cohen answers COVID-19 questions 

• A Windsor man stuck in Morocco is told he's tested positive for COVID-19

• Canada, U.S. border temporarily closing to non-essential traffic to slow COVID-19.

Transit Windsor introduces new boarding measures

Transit Windsor announced on Friday that only elderly passengers, passengers with mobility issues and people who rely on a wheelchair for mobility will be able to board at the front of the bus. 

All other passengers will be required to board at the back of Transit Windsor buses, until at least April 5. 

"Riders are asked to only use public transit if it is absolutely necessary for essential travel," reads an excerpt from a media release on Friday.

Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare scales back visitor policy

As of Saturday, March 21, only end of life patients will be able to receive visitors, and only one visitor at a time. 

All visitors must be older than 18 years old. 

Windsor to scale back municipal services

Non-essential municipal services will be scaled back or altered in response to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Windsor announced Thursday, and will last until at least April 5. 

A complete list of services is available on the city's website. 

Below is a list of some of the services affected:

• Children's Services administrative supports and housing administrative supports will operate online and by phone only.
• The Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Bus was suspended as of Thursday night.
• Solid waste drop-off will be closed to the public, though commercial customers will be still be able to use it.
• Municipal licensing will be discontinued.
• Employment and training services will be closed to the public. 

A number of services won't be affected, including municipal curb-side garbage and recycling collection.

Chatham-Kent wants returning travellers to take self-isolation more seriously

Chatham-Kent officials are asking returned travellers to take federal warnings about self-isolation more seriously in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. 

"As of March 17, anyone returning to Canada from outside of the country in the last 14 days, which would make for a return date of March 3 or later, must self isolate for 14 days from the day they arrived back into Canada," said Dr. David Colby, Chatham-Kent medical officer of health, in a media release Thursday. 

Chatham-Kent currently has two confirmed COVID-19 cases. A 52-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman have been diagnosed with the virus.

Colby previously told CBC News that both cases are not linked. 

Still safe to donate blood during COVID-19 pandemic

Despite experiencing an increase in the number of people cancelling appointments during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Windsor-Essex's Canadian Blood Services (CBS) branch says people are continuing to donate blood.

On Saturday, the non-profit organization that manages the national blood supply — except in Quebec — issued a call to action, informing Canadians that it's still safe to donate blood, even during the ongoing health crisis.

Hospital visiting hours

Windsor Regional Hospital is now allowing only one visitor per patient at any time. No other visitors will be permitted and no visitors under the age of 18. 

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare has changed visiting hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with only one visitor allowed per patient, except palliative patients who may have two. No visitors under age 18 are allowed, and all visitors will be screened. 

Also effective Thursday, Erie Shores HealthCare is not allowing any visitors until further notice. Exceptions will be made for caregivers in certain situations, including visiting maternal-newborn patients, ICU patients, and palliative care patients. 

Senior hours at stores

Many stores are adding hours, especially for people who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 to have time to shop. Loblaws, Sobeys, Zehrs and Shoppers Drug Mart are all doing it, and many more are participating. Check your local shop to see when to visit.