WINDSOR — COVID-19 has claimed another life in Windsor-Essex.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is reporting a woman in her 90s in a long-term care home passed away, bringing the total number of deaths to 55.
Of the deaths, 41 are residents in a long-term care home or retirement home.
There are eight local long-term care homes or retirement homes that are in outbreak status.
There are also an additional 15 cases in Windsor-Essex, bringing the total to 656.
210 cases have been resolved.
More than 8,300 people have been tested with 1, 278 test results pending.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed would like the high priority test results to come back in less than three days.
"Even with the number of testing that we are doing locally has increased significantly, we would like to see the results back quickly,," says Dr. Ahmed. "There is no doubt about it, that's the push that we have asked from the local perspective."
It is taking, on average, six to seven days to get results back.
"At the local level, it is important for us to get the results back because some of those results can get action immediately as needed and if those results are delayed, it is a challenge," says Dr. Ahmed.
He notes for some people in the high risk population such as in hospital, ICU or a health care worker, the results are coming back quicker.
Looking at the big picture, Windsor-Essex is doing worse than the provincial average.
In a population of 100,000, this area has 136.3 cases, whereas the Ontario average is 108.9 cases.
Dr. Ahmed says Windsor-Essex has a higher senior population and being a border city, we are more exposed to the virus.