The Medical Officer of Health for Windsor-Essex is imploring the public to break the chain of transmission and stay home after the first COVID-19 related death in the region.
A man in his 80s had travelled to Michigan before exhibiting symptoms. He went to the hospital and was later admitted to the ICU, but ultimately succumbed to the virus.
"People who are not realizing the potential impact of what we are facing. They should open their eyes now and they can see that it is happening in our community. We have seen it across the world, thousands and thousands of people dying. We definitely don't want it in our community. We have to do our part. We have to do everything to prevent the spread of the disease in our community," said Dr. Wajid Ahmed.
Ahmed said the actions people take in the community could have an impact on hundreds or thousands of lives.
"The [government] measures won't save us. I think it is us that will save us in our community. We have to do our part. Any death we can save, that is a gift to the community," said Dr. Ahmed.
There are 92 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region with 317 test results pending. To date, 1,052 people have been tested in Windsor-Essex. In Ontario, 1,966 people have tested positive with 34 deaths linked to the disease. In Detroit, 2,080 people have contracted the virus and it has claimed 75 lives.
