With COVID-19 cases on the rise again in Windsor-Essex, Windsor Regional Hospital has increased capacity at its assessment centre at the Ouellette Campus.
There were 192 swab tests done on Wednesday, the highest one-day testing volume since April 26 when 216 people were tested.
The Windsor Essex County Health Unit reported an increase of 29 cases on Thursday. Among those cases, 10 are close contacts of previously confirmed infections and nine were picked up in the community. Case and contact management staff continue to investigate 10 new infections.
There are 165 active cases and 78 involve a variant of concern. Windsor Regional Hospital is treating one patient who has tested positive for COVID-19.
“The numbers remind us the need to be cautious, to continue to follow public health guidance – and most importantly, to get a vaccine,” said WRH Chief of Staff Dr. Wassim Saad.
To date, 77.1 per cent of eligible residents have been partially vaccinated and 69 per cent have had both doses.
With an increased demand for tests, the COVID-19 assessment centre at the Ouellette Campus will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week. Appointments are required and can be booked online or by calling 519-973-4443. Hospital officials indicated same-day and next-day appointments are generally available.
“For people who have COVID-19 symptoms we stress that they should get tested as a way to ensure the virus is identified, isolation occurs, and contact tracing can take place to prevent further community spread,” said Dr. Saad.
If the demand for tests continues to increase, WRH says they will further increase staff resources as necessary. The Met Campus COVID-19 assessment centre can also be reopened if necessary.
