CBC Windsor September 30 COVID-19 update: 6 new cases today

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported six new COVID-19 cases for our region on Wednesday.

Four are close contacts of confirmed cases, and two others contracted the virus in the community.

Ontario has seen a sharp rise in new daily cases in recent weeks. The Ministry of Health reported 625new infections Wednesday,554 on Tuesday, and 700 on Monday.

Testing began at three Shoppers Drug Marts in Windsor yesterday, said CEO and chief nursing officer Theresa Marentette.

People who are asymptomatic, meaning they have no signs of COVID-19, may call the pharmacies to book an appointment for a test.

Marentette said those presenting an Ontario health card would have payment covered, but that there is an option to pay for the test yourself if you do not have one.

One retirement home locally is currentlyunder an outbreak.

Dolce Vitain Windsor has recently hadfive residents and two staff members testpositive for COVID-19.

Commercial rent subsidy ends today

The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program the federalprogram designed to ease the pressure on pandemic-damaged businesses by covering a portion of their rent expires at midnight tonight, leaving many Canadian businesses in the dark about what Ottawa has planned to replace it.

CECRAcovered up to six months of rent by extending forgivable loans for up to half the value of the monthly rent, in exchangefor the landlord cutting rent.

Tenants participating in the programwould still have to chip in 25 per centof their pre-pandemic rent, while their landlords were expectedto accept a 25 per centloss on total rent paid. The scheme had its critics from the start with the main complaint from business being that entry depended on buy-in from the landlord, who was under no obligation to participate.

But the program was still a lifeline meantto allow tenants to stay solvent and to help landlords keeptheir properties from falling vacant.

But now, as September draws to a close, the program is coming to an end with no replacement on the horizon. That worries landlords and tenants alike.

READ MORE |Troubled pandemic rent subsidy program expires today and there's no replacement ready

Potential public exposures

Over the past few weeks, the health unit hasflaggedseveralbusinesses forpotential COVID-19 exposures.

In each case, a customer or staff member has tested positive and the health unit wantsanybody who may have come into contact to be alerted, self-monitor for symptoms and seek care if symptoms develop.

The affected businesses and dates include:

• Bridging North America Corporate Office Outdoor Demo Trade Show at35 Prospect Ave. onSept. 18
• Movati Athletic at650 Division Rd. onSept.r 16 and17

COVID-19 inSarnia-Lambton

Lambton Public Health reported nonew COVID-19 cases Tuesday. There have been a total of 346cases in Lambton County.

Twenty-five people have died.

COVID-19 inChatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent Public Healthreported onenew COVID-19 caseTuesday.There have been a total of 369cases in Chatham-Kent.

Two people have died.