Woman in her 50s from Parry Sound district tested positive Thursday
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. Nugget File Photo
This story has been updated.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has reported its first death related to COVID-19.
A statement from the health unit Friday morning says the individual was a woman in her 50s who passed away in the last 24 hours.
Health unit spokesperson Alex McDermid said the woman confirmed positive for COVID-19 Thursday and is from Parry Sound district.
No details were readily available on whether the individual had been self-isolating or was admitted to hospital.
However, the health unit is reporting that the case is a result of community transmission.
The statement from the health unit, meanwhile, says it is working with hospitals involved and community stakeholders on contact tracing to identify and follow-up with close contacts.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the individual’s family and friends and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” medical officer of health Dr. Jim Chirico said.
“This loss stresses the seriousness of the situation we are facing. We owe it to our loved ones, our friends, neighbours and the community as a whole to stay home as much as possible, physically distance when you need to go out for essentials, wear a facial covering when physical distancing is hard or unable to maintain while in public, and follow public health measures.”
The health unit has reported 21 total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the North Bay and Parry Sound districts as of Friday, 18 of which have been resolved.
The two outstanding cases involve a woman between the ages of 40 and 59 who contracted COVID-19 through community transmission, while the other is a man between the ages of 40 and 59 who tested positive for COVID-19 as a result of travel. Both are reported as currently isolating.
Of the total cases, 15 are in Nipissing district and six are in Parry Sound district.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.
If you need further assistance, call your health-care provider or the health unit at 1-800-563-2808.
If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and tell them your symptoms.
For more information visit myhealthunit.ca/covid-19.
