Second case of COVID-19 variant found in Windsor-Essex

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit saysat least onenew caseof a variant of concern has popped up Windsor-Essex.

In the health unit's daily briefing, Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health for Windsor and Essex County, said a second case involving one of the more contagious COVID-19 variantshas been identified in the region. The first was found a week ago.

A third potential case of a variantis under investigation before it can be confirmed. That case is associated with a long-term care home.

"That's why we're investigating to make sure we get it right," he said. "The initial indication is that it could be a false positive.

Ahmed said the two confirmedcases werewell-contained and didn't result in any additional transmission.

Testing is underway to determine which of the more contagious variants is involved in the local cases.

9 new deaths

There were 14new cases of COVID-19 announced on Thursday.

Health officials also reportednine new deathsfrom COVID-19. The deaths occurred from Wednesday to as far back as late last week.

Six of those who died from the virus lived in the community while three were in long-term care.

11active outbreaks

There are 304 active cases of COVID-19 within Windsor and Essex County. Ahmed presented data on Thursday showing that the vast majorityof recent transmissions are occurring within households.

From Jan. 29 to Feb. 17, 76.1 per cent of all new cases occurred in private residences.

Of the 14new cases announced Thursday, oneis aclose contactof a confirmed case, 10 are related to outbreaks and the rest are under investigation.

Throughout the region, 11COVID-19 outbreaks are active. A new outbreak was declared at Windsor Regional Hospital.

Three community settings are also in outbreak the DowntownMission, Salvation Army andKensington Court Retirement Residence.

Outbreaks are active at two workplaces one in Windsor's manufacturing sector and one in Tecumseh's manufacturing sector.

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

• Franklin Gardens in Leamington, with 38resident cases and 17staff cases.
• Regency Park in Windsor, with 24resident cases and 15 staff cases.
• Devonshire Retirement Residence in Windsor, with 48 resident cases and nine staff cases.
• Rosewood Erie Glen in Leamington, with 43 resident cases and 10 staff cases.
• The Village at St. Clair in Windsor, with 176 resident cases and 142staff cases.

Possible public exposure

Thursday afternoon, WECHU reported three low-risk possible exposures. The health unit said that as a precaution, anyone who visited the following locations on the identified dates should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days:

• TD Bank at156 Ouellette Ave. Dates of exposure areFeb.10 from8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Feb.11 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Real Canadian Superstore at4371 Walker Rd. Dates of exposure areFeb.11 from 1p.m. to 6p.m., Feb.13 from8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. andFeb.14 from 8a.m. to 1p.m.
• Remark Fresh Markets at 2727 Howard Avenue. Dates of exposure are Feb. 11 from 9: 30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. and Feb. 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COVID-19 in Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent

There are 32active cases of COVID-19 in Chatham-Kent. Health officials reported no newCOVID-19 cases Thursday. Ninepeople have died due to COVID-19 since the pandemic started.

In Sarnia-Lambton, 12new cases were announced on Thursday. There are 88active cases, and46people have died after contracting COVID-19.