The Windsor Essex County Health Unit reported a major jump in the number of COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.
There were 70 new cases identified after just 16 were reported Tuesday. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed indicated there is no evidence of any kind reporting lag at this time.
“We don’t have any delay in reporting so some of these things that we are seeing it could be as a result of a gathering or event that we still have to investigate. We have also noticed that there are some information gaps that we are struggling with. Maybe people are holding back some information,” said Dr. Ahmed.
He said these cases could be linked to gatherings on Mother’s Day weekend but they are still investigating.
The health unit also reported one additional death linked to COVID-19 in the region. A woman in her 70s passed away after contracting the virus. There have been 422 deaths in the region connected to the virus since the start of the pandemic.
Dr. Ahmed said despite the improving vaccine coverage rate, it is important individuals continue to follow public health measures. He said the individual who is vaccinated is not likely to develop severe consequences from the virus but could still pass it on to others who are not yet protected.
“If we are thinking about getting the vaccine and doing our part until we get the case rates down we will be in better shape. When the case rates are down the virus will not have a viable host to continue to move on to infect other people. When we still have so many people who are still infected and contributing to the transmission the overall risk to the community would increase,” said Ahmed.
There are 358 active cases in the community right now and 158 of them involve a variant of concern.
