Hundreds of migrant farm workers in the Windsor-Essex region have tested positive for the virus over the past few months and two have died.
TORONTO — The Windsor-Essex area now has the highest rate of COVID-19 cases in Ontario, local health officials said Friday as Premier Doug Ford mulled ordering mandatory testing for farm workers in a bid to contain the spread of the surging virus.
Hundreds of migrant workers in the region have tested positive for the virus over the past few months and two have died. “Guys, I’m just going to cut to the chase here,” he told farmers during his daily news conference. “If you have migrant workers, get them tested. Bottom line. Full stop. That’s it. We can’t keep playing this cat and mouse game.”Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks at press availability in Brampton, Ontario on Thursday.
“In the worst case scenario, if we are in that situation because of the risk, that option will be available for me to use,” he said.Windsor Regional Hospital, the largest health-care facility in the area, said Friday it expected to reach 100 per cent capacity by day’s end. Chief Executive Officer David Musyj said widespread testing is needed in the agri-food sector, likening the need to similar measures implemented in the long-term care sector months ago.
“There were a number of farms booked for on-farm testing when the initiative was paused so we expect uptake once that is available again,” spokeswoman Justine Taylor said.
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