2 more COVID-19 deaths in Windsor-Essex

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) said Friday thattwo more people a man in his 50s and a woman in her 60s have died after contracting COVID-19.

Since the beginning of August, when COVID-19 case countsbegan to soar in the region,21 Windsor-Essex residents have lost their lives to COVID-19 and more than 2,800 people have tested positive for the virus, according to the health unit.

The death toll stands at 456.

WECHUreported a two-day increase of 86 cases of COVID-19 on Friday following the closure of its office Thursdayfor the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There were 43cases reported on each day.

The region's overall active case count has risen slightly, from281to 297, following the addition of those cases.

There are also two-dozen active outbreaks in the region, 15of which areoccurring at workplaces:

• Six workplaces are in the agricultural sector.
• Sixworkplaces are in the health care and social assistance sector.
• Twoworkplaces are in the manufacturing sector.
• Oneworkplace is ina public administration setting

Outbreaks are ongoing at five schools:

• colelmentaire catholique Sainte-Ursule.
• St. Andre French Immersion Catholic School
• Ford City Public School.
• Al-Hijra Academy.
• St. Joseph's Catholic High School.

Two community outbreaks are also ongoing, one at St. Clair College and one at The Salvation Army, while two long-term care homes, The Village at St. Clair and La ChaumiereRetirement Residence,are also in outbreak.

So far,77.2 per cent of local residents 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 exposures

The health unit has issued a COVID-19 exposure notification forWord of Life Community Church in Ruthven. Anyone who visited on Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. is asked to self-monitor for symptoms for the two weeks following that date, and get tested if symptoms appear.

The same guidance is in effect for anyone who was on Transit Windsor routes1A and 1C on Sept.21 at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., or4 p.m.

COVID-19 in Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent reported 24 new cases on Friday. Currently, 107cases areactive overall and thereare six ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks.

Dr. David Colby, medical officer of health, said Thursday thatthere 24 direct cases and nearly double that indirectly related to the outbreak at Praise Fellowship church. The health unit reported one additional death on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 20.

In a news release Friday afternoon, Chatham-Kent Public Health said it has been notified of "multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19" from the Catholic Women's League dinner on Sept. 27 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Tilbury.

Since all attendees at the event were fully vaccinated, it says contacts are not required to isolate.

But anyone who attended is asked to self-monitor for symptoms and get tested if symptoms arise.

The health unit said it recommends that all attendeesbook a COVID-19 test for Oct. 4, but adds that if you have been contacted by the health unit as a close contact to follow the testing guidance provided.

Chatham's Assessment Centre, at 10 GrandAve. W., has testing appointments available.

In Sarnia-Lambtonthere were 26 new cases since Wednesday's update and 95 active cases overall.