A 58-year old man has tested positive for COVID-19, Niagara Regional Health says, marking the regions fourth case.
The patient is the family member of the regions first case, who also tested positive after returning home from travel.
Officials say he is likely the source of the infection in the first case, and that the case was detected through the regions contact tracing.
The man has fully recovered but remains in isolation at home while awaiting confirmation that he is no longer infectious, as per provincial guidelines.
"This person experienced a very mild illness with only one day of symptoms, and therefore did not suspect COVID-19 infection. Public Health identified him as a possible case only through its earlier investigation of his family member. A public health investigation is now ongoing around identifying any additional infections linked to exposures to this person," the release said.
“Discovery of this case is an illustration of how intense public health investigations are preventing local transmission of COVID-19 in Niagara,” said Dr. Mustafa Hirji, medical officer of health (acting), Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services.
“While there continues to be no evidence of local circulation of COVID-19, we are working determinedly with our health care partners to prepare for when that changes.”
The announcement comes after a day of no newly reported cases, while many other places have seen a rise in the numbers of infections.
The City of Thorold announced today that their staff will now work from home.
"The focus of this operational change is for the containment of COVID-19, by balancing our concern for personal safety with our ongoing commitment to the community. Despite these closures, the City Staff will remain available to assist and serve the community preferably by email ([email protected]), or phone (905-227-6613) during regular business hours. Please see the City website for additional information," said a news release.
