Despite drop in COVID cases, health unit urges Mother’s Day caution

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The medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex is again asking residents to celebrate Mother’s Day while adhering to public health measures, despite a continued drop in COVID-19 cases and ongoing vaccine rollout.

The current provincial stay-at-home order prohibits indoor and outdoor gatherings, including for those eager to visit mothers or grandmothers in person. Instead, Dr. Wajid Ahmed suggested families connect with matriarchs virtually or by phone.

“Mothers, find time to de-stress and focus on yourself this Mother’s Day weekend,” Ahmed said. “Finding time to read, take a bath, practise yoga, go for a walk, or spend time in your yard are great ways to relax your mind and increase your well-being.”

“Connect regularly with the people you love most, and take time to disconnect from the news and the media.”

Those who live with their mothers or grandmothers should celebrate at home and avoid visitors, he said. Breakfast in bed, backyard picnics, homemade gifts, and family game nights are on the table.

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While more and more residents are being vaccinated against COVID-19, Ahmed said partially and fully vaccinated residents should still follow public health guidelines. Variants of concern present in the community “can spread very quickly,” he said, “and the vaccine may not be completely protective in those variant situations.” Variants of concern represent 45 per cent of the 366 active local COVID-19 cases.

Despite the threat posed by more highly contagious variants and the speed at which they spread, infections in Windsor-Essex are on the decline.

Local pandemic data presented by Ahmed on Friday showed a drop in the COVID-19 infection rate, the disease’s reproduction number, and the percentage of tests coming back positive — are indications that the third wave is past its peak and abating.

Things can change very quickly

Ahmed attributed the positive numbers to residents following stay-at-home order restrictions, which have been in effect since April 8 and prohibit people from leaving their homes for non-essential reasons.

Ever-increasing vaccine coverage is also playing a part, he said. Nearly 50 per cent of adults in Windsor-Essex have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. As of Friday morning, 169,528 area residents have been inoculated.

The provincial stay-at-home order is scheduled to remain in place until at least May 20.

“Hopefully, if all things go well, we should be able to get back to some normalcy in the near future,” Ahmed said.

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The local health unit has been part of conversations with the province about what reopening might look like once restrictions ease, he said, but they don’t want to rush the process. With “a significant portion of the population” still unvaccinated, and the presence of variants, “things can change very quickly.”

Nine groups are now eligible for the vaccine, including some essential workers, adults with medical conditions considered at risk, high risk, and highest risk, anyone age 50 and older and anyone age 18-plus living in a hot spot postal code. To find out if you are eligible or to book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic, visit WEVax.ca. Those unable to access the website can book an appointment by calling 226-773-2200.

General inquiries about vaccination can be answered by calling 211.

Friday’s local COVID-19 statistics:

– 13 close contacts

– 8 community acquired

– 1 travel related

– 17 still under investigation

– 988 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, which originated in the U.K.

– 2 cases of the B.1.351 variant, which was first sequenced in South Africa

– 4 cases of the P.1 variant, which was first sequence in Brazil

– 86 uncategorized variant cases

– one farm in Leamington

– one construction business in Tecumseh

– two food and beverage businesses in Windsor and Lakeshore

– two health care and social assistance settings in Windsor

– one retail business in Windsor

– South West Detention Centre

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