No need to hoard food or supplies, health unit insists
With the Ontario government has officially declared a state of emergency because of the coronavirus, the Windsor-essex County Health Unit is reiterating its request that residents be considerate about the supplies they purchase.
“Please, don’t rush to the grocery stores and fill your house,” said Dr. Wajid Ahmed, the region’s Medical Officer of Health, at the WECHU’S daily news conference on Tuesday morning.
While Ahmed agreed that residents should have a level of preparedness for themselves and their families in the event that they require self-isolation, he asked that people “build that supply gradually.”
“There are other people who need (those items),” Ahmed reminded.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced State of Emergency orders, including the closure of all bars and restaurants in the province — except for takeout and delivery options — until at least March 31.
Grocery and variety stores are unaffected by the orders.
Ahmed said the province’s Ministry of Health has assured the WECHU that “the supply chain is good and can be maintained.”
Ahmed asked that customers consider those in need when making purchases.
Some grocery stores have adopted special senior-only shopping hours to give older or more vulnerable customers a chance to buy supplies and limit their exposure to crowds.
The No Frills location at 3975 Wyandotte St. East will be open only to seniors and people with disabilities on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
The Real Canadian Super Store locations at 4371 Walker Rd. and 2430 Dougall Ave. will have shopping hours for seniors and people with disabilities on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
In the meantime, the WECHU’S other recommendations continue to apply, particularly regarding social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.
The advised amount of space to keep between individuals in public is now two metres. And the limit on public gatherings is now 50 people.
“In the state of emergency … this is now a provincial order,” Ahmed said.
As of Tuesday morning, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the Windsor-essex region remains zero.
Health unit chief executive Theresa Marentette said 96 people from the area have been tested so far, with 37 test results pending.
Marentette said those numbers include the recent work done at the COVID-19 assessment centre on the Ouellette Campus of Windsor Regional Hospital.
Windsor Regional Hospital reminds the public that all visitors to hospital property should complete a visitor/patient screening form prior to arrival. The form can be downloaded via the WRH website (www.wrh.on.ca).