A second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Niagara.
On Sunday, Niagara Regional Public Health said a 55-year-old female with a travel history to Egypt has tested positive.
"The patient is recovering at home in self-isolation. The patient has interacted only with a family member during the time she may have been contagious, and has not exposed anyone in the community. All protocols were followed by health care providers resulting in no exposure of themselves nor other patients," the region said in a news release.
"As we continue to see growing COVID-19 cases around the world, we expect to continue to see travel-related cases in Niagara," said Dr. Mustafa Hirji, medical officer of health (acting), Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services.
"However, we are not seeing any local circulation of the virus, and so our risk remains low. Everyone should feel comfortable continuing with their daily activities."
On Thursday, the first case was confirmed in a 84-year-old man, who officials say had no travel history but had a close family member recently return from Portugal.
On Sunday morning, the Ministry of Health reported national total to be 249 confirmed cases.
Below follows the latest guidelines from Niagara Regional Public Health on how to act during the outbreak.
Contact Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services by calling 905-688-8248 ext. 7019 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
- Avoid all non-essential international travel, as recommended by Provincial and Federal health authorities
- 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.
As we continue to see growing #COVIDー19 cases around the world, we expect to continue to see travel-related cases in #Niagara. However, we aren't seeing local circulation of the virus, & so our risk remains low. Everyone should feel comfortable continuing with daily activities. https://t.co/AOKHSJfmNM
— Mustafa Hirji (@mustafahirji) March 15, 2020
