The WECHU is committed to providing timely and credible information to the residents of Windsor-Essex in partnership with community agencies and health care providers. Currently there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex and the risk remains low. Under the guidance of the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Wajid Ahmed, the WECHU is monitoring and responding to all queries related to COVID-19.

We encourage residents to continue to practice prevention for the spread of germs. All residents are reminded to practice social distancing where feasible and:

1. Wash hands with soap & water thoroughly and often
2. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue. Dispose of tissue immediately and wash your hands.
3. Keep surfaces clean and disinfected
4. Stay home when you are sick

What is happening locally?

Significantly Enhanced Measures will Help Contain Spread of COVID-19

As a result of this declaration of Emergency and its associated orders, the following establishments are legally required to close immediately:

• All facilities providing indoor recreational programs;
• All public libraries;
• All private schools as defined in the Education Act;
• All licensed child care centres;
• All bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery;
• All theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies; and
• Concert venues.

Many of levels of government, agencies and professional organizations released strong advice, recommendations, and orders in the last 24 hours as we continue to prepare and respond to COVID-19. While these recommendations and decisions are difficult, they are all made to mitigate risks and slow the spread of the virus. Time is critical in the fight to contain the spread of COVID-19. The focus must move to essential services and anything non-essential reconsidered to maintain and enable social distancing in communities and the declaration by the province as a state of emergency moves us forward in a consistent approach to risk mitigation

Social distancing includes maintaining a 2-meter distance between yourself and others and restricting close contact to immediate family and caregivers. To adhere to this advice, many dental offices are cancelling non-emergency services, hospitals are ramping down elective procedures and sports organizations and municipalities have cancelled events and closed their doors, all to do their part to protect the public and limit the spread of disease.

The recommendations and guidance of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario and Medical Officer of Health for Windsor-Essex were strengthened this morning with an order from the Provincial Government.

Current Provincial Guidance

The province is providing guidance and recommendations on a regular basis to public health. As of March 17th, 2020, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams has recommended:

• All non-essential travel outside of Canada be suspended.
• Anyone traveling outside of Canada should self-isolate for 14 days upon return. If symptoms develop during self-isolation, including fever and/or cough call public health at 519-258-2146 ext. 1420.
• Healthcare workers and/or other essential workers are asked to self-monitor for any symptoms
• School Closures for two weeks following March Break.
• Closure of all recreational programs and libraries.
• Closure of all private schools
• Closure of all churches and other faith settings
• All bars and restaurants, with the exception of restaurants that can shift to takeout/delivery mechanisms.
• Long Term Care, Retirement Facilities, Hospice, and residential care facilities only permit essential visitors and actively screen visitors for symptoms and travel history, excluding entry if failed screening.
• Immediately suspending all large events or public gatherings of 50 people or more.
• University, Colleges and workplaces consider virtual options.

Current recommendations from Dr. Wajid Ahmed, Medical Officer of Health

• Practice social distancing (2m distance from others)
• Bars, restaurants, nightclubs and Royal Canadian Legions should close, at minimum for St. Patrick’s Day, cancelling large scale events
• All area businesses should exclude workers for 14 days following travel outside of Canada and move to work from home where feasible
• Essential workers should report travel outside of Canada to their employer and self-monitor if asymptomatic, including daily temperature reading.
• Seniors and high risk individuals should avoid any non-essential trips and stay home as much as possible
• Anyone travelling outside of Canada with children should self-isolate for 14 days upon return
• Commuters that cross to Detroit for work purposes should consider work from home options with their employer where possible and regularly self-monitor for any symptoms including taking their temperature.
• Physicians should screen clients over the phone and refer as appropriate. 
• Create an emergency preparedness plan to ensure you have what you need in case of self-isolation.
• Wash hands with soap & water thoroughly and often.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue. Dispose of tissue immediately and wash your hands.
• Keep surfaces clean and disinfected.
• Stay home when you are sick; call your health care provider for advice and take the online self assessment tool for COVID-19

“Right now we have a window of opportunity to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. We have to put public safety and community good over the bottom line. Every agency, workplace, leader and individual has a role to play in protecting the health and wellbeing of our community” says Dr. Wajid Ahmed, Medical Officer of Health.