Vaccination rollout in Windsor-Essex continues amid concerns about supply

Health officials in Windsor-Essexare waiting to hearwhether newly announced supply delays affecting a COVID-19 vaccine will impactthe rollout in the region.

TheWindsor-Essex County Health Unit began a second round of vaccinations last week at long-term care homes.

People at fivefacilitieshave received their second dose of the Moderna vaccine so far, and the health unit said residents, staff and essential caregiversat two more facilities are due to be vaccinated Monday.

But on Friday, it was announced that Moderna is expected to deliver about 50,000 fewer doses to Canada than expected this week, and about 20 to 25 per cent less product overall this month.

The health unit was expecting to receive a supply of the vaccine this week to help it complete the second round of vaccinations.

"We are hoping that we obtain those second doses but we're waiting for more information," said WECHU CEO and Chief Nursing Officer Theresa Marentette.

At its briefing on Monday, thehealth unit presented an overview of the regionalvaccine rollout, which kicked offlast month. Vaccinations beganwith staff at seniors' homes, some health-care workers, as well as residents, staff and essential caregivers in seniors' homes.

The next groups to startreceivingthe vaccine areadults receiving chronic home-care, people who are 75 and older, those 60 to 75, essential workers and communities at risk.

While adults receiving home care are in the first phase of vaccinations, all of the other groups are under the second phase, which the health unit expects willbegin in March or April.

Once the vaccine is more readily available, the health unit expects shotswill be administered through mass immunization clinics, mobile clinics as well asthrough doctors' offices and pharmacies.

15,000 doses administered

According to Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health with WECHU, over 15,000doses have alreadybeen administered in the region.

So far, 5,296doses of Modernaand 9,858 of the Pfizer vaccine have been given to those in priority groups, Ahmed said, cautioning that there may be accuracy issues with the data.Each vaccine requires two doses, and some people have received theirsecond doses already.

40outbreaks remain active

There were60 new cases of COVID-19 announced in the region on Monday; six are close contacts of confirmed cases, 11 are related to outbreaks, five are community acquired and the rest are under investigation.

The number of people in hospital stands at 73, with a dozen in ICU.

No new deaths were reported on Monday. The death toll stands at 316, 211 of which have occurred in long-term care and retirement homes.

There are 40outbreaks active in the region, including sixbetween Windsor Regional Hospital and Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.

Outbreaks areactive at 17workplaces:

• Four in Leamington's agriculturalsector.
• Five in Kingsville's agriculturalsector.
• One in Leamington's food and beverage sector
• Three in Windsor's health care and social assistance sector.
• One in Tecumseh'shealth care and social assistance sector.
• Three in Windsor's manufacturing sector.

There are 17 active outbreaks at long-term care and retirement facilities:

• Franklin Gardens in Leamington with nineresident cases and twostaff cases
• Heron Terrace in Windsor with tworesident cases and one staff case.
• Chartwell Leamingtonwith two resident cases and twostaff case.
• Regency Park in Windsor with 18resident cases and 11staff cases.
• Chartwell Royal Marquis in Windsorwith threeresident cases and one staff case.
• Devonshire Retirement Residence in Windsor, with 48resident cases and eightstaff cases.
• Rosewood Erie Glen in Leamington, with 42resident cases and eightstaff cases.
• Augustine Villas in Kingsville, with 64resident and 18staff cases.
• Sunrise Assisted Living of Windsor, with 15resident cases and eight staff cases.
• Huron Lodge in Windsor, with 47resident cases and 26staff cases.
• Sun Parlor Home in Leamington with tworesident cases and 13staff cases.
• Banwell Gardens Care Centre in Windsor, with 115resident cases and 65staff cases.
• The Shoreview at Riverside in Windsor, with 30resident cases and 16staff cases.
• Extendicare Tecumseh, with 90 resident cases and 57staff cases.
• Berkshire Care Centre in Windsor, with 99resident and 62staff cases.
• The Village at St. Clair in Windsor, with 169resident cases and 138staff cases.
• Village of Aspen Lake in Tecumseh, with 65resident cases and 33staff cases.