First incident of COVID19 in Halton confirmed: patient is in isolation.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

March 11th, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

We knew it was going to happen – the when was the question.

When was today when the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Halton region

Region MoH Meghani

Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region

Dr. David Williams, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health and Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Halton region. This is the 37th case confirmed in Ontario.

This virus is manageable providing you pay attention and monitor your health. When in doubt – don’t delay – get to the medical authorities.

The virus can be held at bay and not spread – if those who even think they might be infected turn to the professionals who can do what has to be done.

A 32 year old female returned from Hawaii on Saturday, became symptomatic on Monday and was tested at Hamilton Health Sciences’ (HHS) Juravinski Hospital on Monday, March 9. She is a frontline healthcare worker at HHS and resides in Burlington.

The hospital took all necessary precautions and followed standard operating procedures, including testing and assessment. The patient is currently at home where she remains in self-isolation. Halton Region Public Health, Hamilton Public Health and Hamilton Health Sciences are working closely and actively engaged in contact tracing and case management.

“Halton Region Public Health is continuing to work with provincial and local health counterparts and with the resident to identify all known contacts who may have been potentially exposed to the virus to assess if there is a potential health risk,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health. “The risk to Halton residents remains low.”

What the dood Dr. doesn’t add is that it is real.

“This incidence was detected very quickly and all proper processes were followed,” says Dr. Wes Stephen, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Hamilton Health Sciences. “When she began to show symptoms, infection control protocol was swiftly initiated and she was tested in a safe environment.

Out of an abundance of caution, last week, Hamilton Health Sciences expanded its criteria for testing beyond the standard case definition to include any travel outside Canada. As a result, this case was identified as quickly as possible. She is now in self-isolation protocol.”

Contact Halton Region Public Health by calling 311, 905-825-6000 or toll free at 1-866-442-5866 if you have a fever OR cough OR breathing difficulty AND any of the following:

• travelled outside of Canada in the 14 days before onset of illness; or

• close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19; or

• 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:

• stay home when ill;

• cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve;

• wash hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub;

• clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit halton.ca/coronavirus.

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5 comments to First incident of COVID19 in Halton confirmed: patient is in isolation.

  • Perryb

    Yes, and mis-informed people can make bad decisions. Suggesting that the authorities are hiding something is unproductive.

    Editor’s note: The purpose of media is to ask the awkward and uncomfortable questions – some would see this as productive.

  • Lisa Cooper

    Lisa Cooper
    @lisaforward3
    ·
    8h
    Well isn’t this awesome. I live in Burlington according to our Mayor, our risk to the community is low. The patient is supposedly in self-isolation. No info on where she has been since arriving back from vaca on Sat, Sorry mayor not feeling particularly confident.
    Quote Tweet

    Marianne Meed Ward
    @MariannMeedWard
    · 9h
    Please click the link for my full statement: https://mariannemeedward.ca/covid-19/statement-from-burlington-mayor-marianne-meed-ward-on-covid-19/

    2/2
    Show this thread
    Lisa Cooper
    @lisaforward3
    ·
    8h
    Since our City has the 3rd largest senior population in Canada and this virus is strongly hitting seniors. What exactly is the City doing to protect our most vulnerable?

  • Joe Gaetan

    Something to think about. What do cruise ships and high rise buildings have in common?

  • Hans Jacobs

    There doesn’t seem to be any discussion in the media of the air pollution effects when large volumes of ethanol based hand sanitizer are being used, especially indoors. It’s far from benign, according to the MSDS: https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/89308.htm

  • MrBean

    Is this the Hamilton doctor living in Burlington? More facts please.

    Editor’s note: The doctor is an oncologist who worked at a Hamilton hospital on the front line and lives in Burlington. The disappointing part is that the medical people knew of the positive testing on March 9th – didn’t go public until the 11th. Tough to trust authorities who treat the public this way. Informed people can mane informed decisions.