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Niagara man tests positive for COVID-19

Patient is a man in his 80s with no recent travel history
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Niagara Public Health confirms the first case of coronavirus in the region.

A 84-year old Niagara man has tested positive for COVID-19 and is receiving care in the St. Catharines hospital, Niagara Region confirms.

The patient was transferred to the hospital by EMS for another medical problem on March 10 and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on March 12.

"Health care providers and paramedics who interacted with the patient prior to developing symptoms will self-isolate out of an abundance of caution," the region said in a news release.

"The patient is currently in an isolation room undergoing treatment by our infectious diseases team to manage his symptoms and is in stable condition," said Dr. Karim Ali, director, Division of Infectious Diseases, and Emergency Preparedness Lead.

"We will continue to take every possible step to ensure the safety of our staff, physicians, patients and families."

The person does not have any recent travel history. However, a family member of the person recently returned from Portugal, and so the working hypothesis is that this family member is the source of infection.

The family member has now been isolated, and Public Health is working to identify all contacts for further follow-up. 

This marks the regions first case of the global pandemic.

 

Below follows important information from Niagara Region Public Health

Contact Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services by calling 905-688-8248 ext. 7330 or toll-free 1-888-505-6074 if you have a fever, or new cough, or shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, and any of the following:

  • Travelled outside of Canada in the 14 days before onset of illness
  • Close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19
  • 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:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub
  • Stay home if you’re sick
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve
  • Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily. Use a disinfectant and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Call ahead if visiting your health care provider for infectious symptoms so they can plan to protect others from spread

As this is an evolving situation, we continue to remind everyone the importance of using credible sources to stay informed. We update our website frequently as new information is confirmed. We encourage all Niagara residents to visit our Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.

For information regarding travel, please visit the Government of Canada website.

Visit Ontario’s website​ to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

 

More information shortly.


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Ludvig Drevfjall

About the Author: Ludvig Drevfjall

Ludvig Drevfjall has been the editor of ThoroldToday since January 2020. He has worked as a journalist in Sweden, British Columbia and Ontario
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