The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported another 62 cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total over the past seven days to 318.
There was also another death. A man in his 90s who lived in long-term care is the region's 80th fatality related to COVID-19 since March.
Windsor-Essex moved into the Red category of the province's reopening framework Monday. Already, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed told reporters the region is at risk of a full shutdown.
Medical Officer of Health Doctor Wajid Ahmed. Screenshot from WECHU daily update on YouTube.
"If we continue to see a sustained increase and more outbreaks, then we'll have to consider thinking about lockdown or putting more restrictions in place either locally or provincially," he said.
There are currently 18 local outbreaks, including two at schools. So far, 25 schools have dismissed cohorts. There are also seven in workplaces, two community ones, and five in long-term care facilities.
On Sunday, public health officials declared outbreaks on the seventh floor of Windsor Regional Hospital's Ouellette Campus and the third floor of the rehabilitation tower at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare.
Meanwhile, health officials are pleading with the public to help healthcare workers by following social distancing guidelines.
Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare CEO Janice Kaffer said the outbreak on the third floor of the rehabilitation tower has put a strain on staff. While five patients have tested positive for the virus, 12 staff have the virus too.
HDGH CEO Janice Kaffer. Screenshot from WECHU daily update on YouTube.
She said healthcare workers across the system are exhausted, and the rising concern is managing their mental health in an extremely stressful environment.
"The issue of fatigue among healthcare workers is not unique to Hotel-Dieu," said Kaffer. "It is something that we are worried about across the entire system."
At her hospital, staff are provided with additional peer support. More breakrooms away from the unit are open to give them respite. Where possible, staff has increased.
"We're more concerned about their ongoing mental wellness, their ability to handle with this protracted level of attention and anxiety, and I think all of us should be concerned about that for all frontline workers," Kaffer continued.
On Monday, Ahmed told reporters resources at the health unit are being strained by the number of new cases and the task of contacting everyone they have been near.
CEO Theresa Marentette said 40 nurses are contacting about 1,000 people. Each contact is followed for 14 days to ensure they follow the rules and do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
"Since March, everyone is working at full capacity," she said. "We were a five-day a week operation, and we've been going for seven days since March -- 62 new cases in a day is incredible."
On Tuesday, Marentette said officials at the health unit would meet to decide whether to divert workers from other programs to help with contact tracing.
Of Tuesday's cases, 27 remain under investigation.
Another 16 are from close contact with previously confirmed infections. Healthcare workers make up another 11 cases. Six patients were infected in the community, while one is related to travel, and one is in the agri-food sector.
There are currently 427 active cases in the region, with 15 patients in the hospital, two of which are in intensive care.
Provincial officials reported another 1,707 cases and seven deaths Tuesday. Nationally on Monday, there were 6,103 cases and 66 deaths.
