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A primary healthcare worker in her 50s is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in London and Middlesex since the beginning of radical containment measures to curb the global pandemic.
The woman, who was tested at the London Health Sciences Centre, has mild symptoms and is recovering at home. She had no history of recent travel to any areas affected by the novel coronavirus.
The London-Middlesex Health Unit said in a news release that its staff has met with the woman and is trying to find out the source of the illness. The agency is following up with her close contacts. They will be told to stay home in self-isolation for 14 days.
The woman is the second Middlesex-London person to test positive for the virus and the first since Jan. 25. The first case in the province was a Western University student returning from China. She went into self-quarantine and her illness has resolved.
“What this shows is the measures we’ve taken so far have been appropriate and that we as a community have to remain diligent in taking steps to contain this virus and limit its spread,” said Dr. Chris Mackie, Middlesex-London health unit’s CEO and medical officer of health.
In its daily update, the provincial ministry of health said there are 96 active cases of the novel coronavirus in Ontario with 939 more awaiting test results. Five cases have been resolved.
Along with cases in Toronto, Ottawa, Durham and Haliburton, there is also a reported case in Huron Perth, and the patient is self-isolating. No other details of the person’s age or method of transmission are available.
Since Thursday, in response to the virus being determined to be a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, schools, community events, sports and other activities where people come into close contact, have been cancelled or closed.
COVID-19 is usually spread from person to person. There is no vaccine.
Frequent hand washing, sneezing into your sleeve, avoiding to touch your eyes, nose and mouth, avoiding people who are sick and staying home when you’re sick is recommended to stop the community spread.
