2,500 Windsor-Essex youth received COVID-19 vaccines appointments still available

More than two-thirdsof adults in Windsor-Essex, as well asabout 2,500 eligibleyouth, have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine so far, according to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU).

WECHUCEO Theresa Marentette provided the figures during the health unit's dailybriefing that was broadcast on YouTube Thursday morning.

In total,234,858 local residents have received at least one dose since the vaccine rollout began in December, representing68.4 per cent of adults.

Vaccine appointments opened up for all of those aged 12 to 17 on Sunday, though thosewith high-risk medical conditions qualified to book as of May 18.

Appointments can be booked throughthe health unit's websiteor by phone.

As of publication time, there wereappointment slots open atall six of the mass vaccination sites in the coming days. There are four clinicsin Windsor, one in Leamington and one in Amherstburg.

Meanwhile, the region's COVID-19case count has risen by 24 cases, Marentette said.

The number of active cases has been declining this week, with266 currentlyactive as of Thursday.

Of the two-dozennew cases, 11 wereclose contacts of confirmed cases, eight cases werecommunity acquired, one was related to an outbreak and fourwereunder investigation.

Since the pandemic began, therehave been 426deaths locally.

Eighteenpeople who tested positive for COVID-19 were in hospital, including threein intensive care.

There are 11 outbreaks ongoing, including anoutbreak atSouthwest Detention Centre that has been active for more thana month.

According to a provincial government database, there is one active case among inmates at the facility as of May 25.

Marentette said that outbreak is"progressing toward being rescinded" though lifting of the order is contingent on whether there are any new cases.

There are 10ongoing outbreaks at workplaces in Windsor-Essex:

• One in Kingsville's agriculture sector.
• Four in Windsor's health-care and social assistance sector.
• One in Lakeshore's health-care and social assistance sector.
• One in Windsor's manufacturing sector.
• One in Tecumseh's manufacturing sector.
• One in Lakeshore's finance and insurance sector.
• One in Windsor's food and beverage sector.

Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton

On Thursday, Lambton Public Health reported one new caseof COVID-19.In total, 37 wereactive overall and there are two outbreaks ongoing.

There was also just one new case in Chatham-Kent on Thursday. The active case count stands at 16.

Meanwhile, there are two upcoming community vaccine clinics, one on Thursday in Tilbury and another in Wallaceburg on June 3.

The clinics are operating on appointment basis, and bookings can be made by phone.