COVID-19 hospitalizations in Windsor-Essex jump in last 5 days

In the last five days, the number of COVID-19 patients in Windsor-Essex hospitals has grown by 20, according to new data from the health unit in southwestern Ontario.

On Dec. 30, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) reported 18 COVID-19 patients, but as of Tuesday, that number jumped to 38 patients.Hospitalizations are a lagging indicator of the level of disease in the community.

This is happening as hospital staff remain off work due to the disease.As of Monday, more than 250 health-care workers across the region are isolating after developing symptoms, being in contact with a confirmed case or testing positive for COVID-19.

In a news release Tuesday, WECHU reported 1,869new cases of COVID-19 as of New Years Eve, according to new local data from the health unit.Butsince testing eligibility and contact tracing methods have changed as of the end of December, reported case numbers but the health unit are expected to be lower than actual COVID-19 cases in the communityand may not accurately represent the burden of disease within the community.

WECHUprovided the following breakdown of the new cases:

• Dec. 31: 352.
• Jan. 1: 322.
• Jan. 2: 287.
• Jan. 3: 578.
• Jan. 4: 330.

There are currently 2,289 active cases in the region.

No new deaths have been reported. There have been a total of 495 deathsin the community.

Nine schools or daycaresare in outbreak. There are also eight community outbreaks, four long-term care or retirement homes in outbreak, and two workplaces in outbreak.

Starting Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. ET, new provincial COVID-19 restrictions will come into effect. These include:

• Social gatherings are limited to five people indoors, 10 people outdoors.
• 50 per cent capacity at stores, including malls, and personal care services.
• Restaurants, bars are closed to indoor dining, but remain open for patios or takeout.
• Moving schools to online learning until at least Jan. 17.

More mass vaccination sites open Wednesday

On Wednesday, Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre in Leamington and Htel-Dieu Grace Healthcare'sDr. Y Emara Centre for Healthy Aging and Mobility open as mass vaccination clinics.

People will be able to book their first, second, third and booster shots at the sites. Both locations do not accept drop-ins.

Nature Fresh will have appointments forTuesday to Saturday between9 a.m. and3:45 p.m.Hotel Dieu's clinic will be availableMonday, Wednesdayand Thursday from2:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Friday from noonto 4p.m.