The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 in the region Tuesday, the second day of double-digit increases.
Of the new ones on Tuesday, one is related to travel to Michigan, three are healthcare workers, three are in the agri-food sector, four are in the community from close contact with an infected person, and three remain under investigation.
On Monday, the health unit reported 11 cases.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed does not believe it is the start of another uptick in Windsor-Essex cases.
"It concerns me more when we don't have an identified source, which we attribute to community spread," he said. "If those cases were increasing, that would be my concern."
Of the 2,393 cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic, 90.5 per cent are considered resolved. There are currently 131 active cases in the region, of which 63 are workers in the agri-food sector. A total of 112 people are self-isolating, and another seven are in the hospital.
Windsor-Essex will move into Stage 3 as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and Ahmed clarified the rules around social gatherings and social circles or bubbles.
Under Stage 3, a maximum of 50 people will be allowed to gather in an indoor space. Less if there is not enough room to adequately social distance that many people. Outside, the maximum permitted is 100 people.
However, Ahmed said social circles of just ten people are crucial to preventing spread in the community. He defined a social circle as a group of those likely to hug or kiss you.
While gyms will be allowed to reopen, and restaurants will be allowed to have some patrons inside their establishments, there is still a list of businesses that will remain closed even as the economy opens more.
Those include amusement and water parks, and steam rooms and saunas.
Restaurants still can not put out a buffet for patrons. Contact sports are still not allowed, and gaming tables at casinos are prohibited.
