Nine confirmed cases as COVID-19 count continues to rise
Three patients linked to Michigan travel, numbers could soar as test results come in
The Windsor-essex region’s total number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases continues to climb.
As of Friday morning, according to the local health unit, the official total for the area was nine patients who have tested positive for the contagious pathogen.
Health officials warned, however, that the figure could change at any time, with an estimated 50 patients at Windsor Regional Hospital awaiting results of retesting.
“We have a number of test results pending,” said Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health for the Windsor-essex County Health Unit. “Getting the results earlier for those individuals who are sick and hospitalized is important for their clinical management.”
The London Health Sciences Centre has promised Windsor Regional that test results would be returned in 24 hours. At the health unit’s previous news conference on Thursday morning, the total of COVID-19 positive cases stood at five.
Ahmed said the sixth case — announced on Thursday night — was a woman in her 60s currently being treated at Windsor Regional who recently travelled to Michigan. She first developed symptoms on
March 18, and was tested on March 23.
The seventh case, a man in his 60s, is a close contact of the sixth case, who also recently travelled to Michigan. He’s in self-isolation with mild symptoms.
The eighth case is a man in his 50s who works in health care in Michigan. His symptoms developed on March 21.
Details about the ninth case were pending on Friday.
Ahmed said the health unit is reaching out to contacts of all the confirmed cases to advise them to self-isolate and inform them about testing requirements.
While concern over community transmission increases, Ahmed noted the region’s confirmed cases thus far have involved recent travel, and only one case involved travel within Ontario.
Three of the cases in Windsor-essex are men who work in health care in Michigan.
“The measures that are currently in place, such as physical distancing and closing of non-essential businesses, will continue to be effective, even if there is community transmission,” Ahmed said.
“It is very important for all of us to follow these measures.”
Across the border, Michigan’s COVID -19 cases continue to climb unabated, with 3,657 confirmed ill and 92 dead as of Friday afternoon.
The city of Detroit accounted for at least 1,075 of those cases and 23 of the deaths.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has requested a major disaster declaration from U. S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
Ontario’s figures stood at 967 cases and 18 deaths as of Friday.
Ahmed urged Windsor-essex residents to be mindful of their stress levels during a difficult time.
“Everyone is going through many challenges,” Ahmed said. “We shouldn’t ignore the impact it may have on the physical and mental well-being of our community, and of individuals.”
“There’s a lot of stress and anxiety hitting everywhere, and it’s not good for our overall health.”
Ahmed advised stress reduction strategies such as keeping a routine, staying connected with family and friends via phone or online, acknowledging and communicating feelings, and spending time outside — even if it’s just in a yard or a walk around the block.
Social media, Ahmed said, doesn’t help with stress reduction.
“There’s a lot of misinformation going on,” Ahmed said. “Use credible sources to get accurate information.”
There is a lot of misinformation going on. Use credible sources to get accurate information.