CBC Windsor September 11 COVID-19 update: Here's what's happening today
There are three retirement homes in outbreak
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported three new COVID-19 cases in the community Friday.
One person is a close contact of someone who has already tested positive and two cases are under investigation.
There are currently 80 active cases of the disease in Windsor-Essex. Six people are currently in hospital.
On Thursday, the health unit reported that a man in his 60s, who tested positive for COVID-19, passed away in hospital. He is the 76th person to die in Windsor-Essex after testing positive for COVID-19.
Three retirement homes are currently under a COVID-19 outbreak. A staff member and resident at Dolce Vita in Windsor have tested positive. A staff member at Rosewood Erie Glen in Leamington has tested positive for the disease.
New Beginnings retirement home in Leamington is seeing a significant outbreak, with 21 residents positive for the disease along with seven staff members.
There are no workplace outbreaks at this time.
Frustration over lack of mask bylaw enforcement
The former president of the Harbourview Condominium Association on Boblo Island is frustrated with Amherstburg's bylaw enforcement division.
Peter Dunn said a bylaw enforcement officer told him there was little he could do about a teen who refused to wear a face mask in the lobby of the condo, something mandatory under the town's face covering bylaw.
"When I talked to him, he said, 'Well, here's what'll happen. We'll have to call him and we'll ask him if he was wearing a mask. If he says he was, then there's nothing we can do,'" Dunn said.
"I said, then why do we pass a bylaw? We might as well tear down all the signs that we've got. He said, 'If you do you will get a fine,'" said Dunn, who says the condo has had to put up signs requiring face masks in common areas as per the bylaw.
Dunn said the bylaw officer told him if the person has health issues — which they don't have to prove — they don't have to wear a mask.
37 cases linked to 'cluster' due to gatherings
On Sept. 2, medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed said 31 community cases of COVID-19 have been linked to social gatherings in the region that began with one event on Aug. 16.
On Wednesday, Ahmed reported that number has grown to 37, which came about as the health unit investigated. the initial spread.
Most of the cases are among people aged 10 to 19 which is "concerning" said Ahmed, as students head back to school this week.
"These events happening everywhere and it's unfortunate this event led to spread of the disease," he said. "This is the reason why there are restrictions and health measures in place."
Through case and contact management, the health unit provided a map showing how far-reaching the virus became from the clusters.
Several businesses, listed below, also became involved after infected individuals failed to self-isolate before becoming aware they had the virus.
Anyone who thinks they may have attended a gathering that had a positive case should self-isolate and get tested, recommended Ahmed.
Potential public exposures
Over the past few weeks, the health unit has flagged several businesses as locations where there have been potential COVID-19 exposures.
In each case, a customer or staff member has tested positive and the health unit wants anybody who may have come into contact to be alerted, self-monitor for symptoms and seek care if symptoms develop.
The affected businesses and dates include:
- Ciocario Club at 3745 North Talbot Rd. on Sept. 4
- Shopper's Drug Mart at 3950 Dougall Ave. on Sept. 4
- John Max at 3208 Dougall Rd. on Aug. 27.
- Tommy Hillifiger at 1555 Talbot Rd. in LaSalle on Aug. 29.
- Fred's Fresh Farm International Market at 2144 Huron Church Rd., on Aug. 29 and 30.
- Xanadu Gym at 446 Advance Blvd. in Lakeshore Aug. 19 - 27, 29 and 30.
COVID-19 in Sarnia-Lambton
Lambton Public Health reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. The region is recording a total of 342 cases.
Twenty-five people have died.
COVID-19 in Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent Public Health reported no new cases Thursday. There have been a total of 364 positive cases, with only one case still active.
Two people there have died from the disease.