CBC Windsor April 20 COVID-19 update: 482 cases in region

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported 482 cases of COVID-19 in the community, an increase of 20 new cases since Sunday.

In Windsor-Essex, 27 people have died from the virus, and 20 of those individuals were residents of long-term care or retirement homes in theregion.

Another 80 cases of COVID-19 have been resolved and 24 people are currently in hospital.

There continueto be COVID-19 outbreaks at seven long-term care or retirement facilities in the region.

"We are coming closer to the finish line everyday but we're not there yet," said medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed, acknowledging that it has been more than one month since restrictions began.

"We want to do more, but now is not the time. Every one of you have worked hard to get where we are and we need to continue."

Ahmed said the health unit is reaching out to the city and hospital for a plan and support for people experiencing homelessness in the community.

WATCH| The health unit's COVID-19 update for Monday April 20 at 9 a.m.:

Over the weekend, six peopledied due to COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex.

On Saturday, three residents in long-term care died. They were over the age of 80. On Sunday, the health unit reported a woman and a manin their 90sand awoman in her 60s had died.

There have been outbreaks at nine different facilities in the regionbut the situation in two of the facilities hasbeen resolved.

Meanwhile, the province announced new projections on Monday.

WATCH|'No clear answer' on return to normal life, Ontario health officials say:

No clear answer on return to normal life, Ontario health officials say

5 years ago

Duration 0:56

Barbara Yaffe, associate chief medical officer of health, says that even though cases of COVID-19 community spread in Ontario appear to have peaked, public health measures must remain in place.

Updated COVID-19 modelling suggests community spread appears to have peaked earlier than expected in Ontario, public health officials said, but they cautioned the public must "stay the course" to ensure a best-case scenario remains achievable in the weeks ahead.

The total number of cases for this wave of the outbreakis "now likely less than 20,000" if the physical distancing and other emergency measures remain in place, documents provided by the province's dedicated COVID-19 task force say.

That figure is "substantially lower" than both the worst-case scenario of 300,000 and the expected-case scenario of 80,000included in Ontario's previous modelling update on April 3.

Experts initially anticipated a peak of community spread at some point in May.

Here's what's happening in our area:

• Fesitval of Birds cancelled in Point Pelee because of COVID-19
• Windsorite wants online community to keep busy, creative through colouring
• Mother and daughter use break from school to clean up trash around Windsor
• Ontario court in Windsor delaying some cases up to 10 weeks, says justice

St. Clair College field hospital opens to seniors

A field hospital created by Windsor Regional Hospital at St. Clair College's Sportsplexnow has 21 COVID-19 patients who have been transferred from seniors' homes in the community.

Ahmed said one facility had transferred those patients over the weekend.

On Friday, Windsor Regional Hospital announced the field hospital would take long-term care and retirement home residents who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The original intent for the field hospital was for the projected overflow of COVID-19 patients who would be going to the hospital. But since that overflow never happened, the field hospital opened up to take in long-term care and nursing home residents who have tested positive for the disease but don't require intensive care.

"I think that's been the biggest surprise," saidsaid Dr.Wassim Saad,chief of staff at Windsor Regional Hospital.

"We thought this field hospital would be used for overflow from the inpatient unit, and we're using it for a completely different strategy now because we still have capacity in the hospital."

Long-term care homes ask families for consent before their loved ones are transferred to the facility.

Patients could be in these beds for two weeks at a time until they test negative, then will return back to their homes.

COVID-19 in Sarnia-Lambton

The health unit in Sarnia-Lambton reported 145confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday and 14people have died from the disease. Another 50people have recovered.

Landmark Village retirement home andLambton Meadowview Villa long-term care are both experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.

COVID-19 in Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent Pubic Health reported Sunday that 31people in the region have tested positive for COVID-19. One person has died and 15people have recovered.