Halton has 2nd case of COVID-19
Published March 12, 2020 at 3:51 pm
The second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the Halton region.
The second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the Halton region.
A female Oakville resident in her 40s who had travelled to Colorado earlier this month became symptomatic on March 7, according to health officials.
On March 10 she presented herself to Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington for testing.
“As per established infection prevention and control protocols, the hospital took all precautions, including testing in an isolated environment with all necessary personal protective equipment,” said officials. “On March 11 she was notified of her positive test result and is now self-isolating at home.”
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It’s Oakville’s first confirmed case of COVID-19.
The individual also has recent travel history to Costa Rica.
It has been determined by health officials that the patient had mild symptoms on flights from Toronto to Liberia, Costa Rica (Flight 2644; WestJet) on March 7 and then Liberia, Costa Rica to Toronto (Flight 2643; WestJet) on March 9, 2020.
Passengers on those flights are being asked to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and should they develop symptoms, isolate immediately and report themselves to their local public health unit.
“I would like to reassure residents that the risk in our community remains low at this time and we are working to identify known contacts and assess any potential health risk,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health.
Halton Region Public Health says it is actively engaged in contact tracing and case management.
“When the individual came to Joseph Brant Hospital for testing, it was completed in an isolated environment, with our care team following all infection prevention protocols and procedures,” said Eric Vandewall, President and Chief Executive Officer at Joseph Brant Hospital. “Our hospital is taking all necessary precautions to keep our patients, our visitors and our physicians and staff safe.”
Contact Halton Region Public Health by calling 311, 905-825-6000 or toll-free at 1-866-442-5866 if you have a fever OR cough OR breathing difficulty AND any of the following:
- travelled outside of Canada in the 14 days before onset of illness; or
- close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19; or
- close contact with a person with acute respiratory illness who travelled to affected areas within 14 days prior to their illness onset.
The best way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 is to:
- stay home when ill;
- cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve;
- wash hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub; and
- clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by regularly reviewing credible information sources. For more information on COVID-19 including symptoms, risk and when to contact Halton Region Public Health, visit halton.ca/coronavirus.
To get the latest information on cases in Ontario and to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus.
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