COVID-19 IN SUDBURY AS WHO DECLARES WORLD ‘PANDEMIC’
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
TORONTO — With COVID-19 reaching Sudbury Saturday — and the country on high alert to prevent further spread — Ontario’s new dedicated web page is a site for the public to get more information on provincial health initiatives.
And on Wednesday the World Health Organization (WHO) finally officially declared the Coronavirus a world “pandemic,” as it has spread to 140 countries amid what WHO calls “alarming levels of inaction” in some countries and resulting in more than 21,000 reported cases and 4,373 deaths
Every weekday at 10:30 a.m. Ontario has been updating its dedicated web page with the most up-to-date information on the status of cases in Ontario, including: the number of cases currently under investigation; and the number of confirmed positive, negative and resolved cases.
To enhance these efforts, the web page will now be updated twice a day (10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST), seven days a week.
Currently, the virus is not circulating locally.
See also the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s special web link here:
Ontario officials say they have been monitoring and reporting on the development of COVID-19 since initial cases of a viral pneumonia were reported in China in late December 2019.
Meanwhile, yesterday (March 10), Dr. Penny Sutcliffe the Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in Northern Ontario.
They say the male in his 50s presented himself to the emergency department at Health Sciences North on March 7, 2020. The hospital took all necessary precautions and followed standard operating procedures, including infection control, testing, and assessment.
Following testing, the patient was discharged home where he remains in self-isolation, following public health direction.
The patient has experienced cough and shortness of breath (difficulty breathing).
Sudbury health officials say that while their investigation is ongoing, they know that on March 2 and 3 the man attended the PDAC (Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada) 2020 convention in Toronto.
“Having a confirmed case in our area is not unexpected given the transmission of this virus around the world,” said Sutcliffe.
“Although this is concerning, as a community and as a health system, we have been preparing for COVID-19. Our focus is on breaking the chain of transmission to limit the spread of infection and as a precautionary measure, we are asking those who attended PDAC 2020 to monitor for symptoms for 14 days,” added Sutcliffe.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing (shortness of breath). Complications from the COVID-19 can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or kidney failure, and in some cases, death.
IMPORTANT: If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19, call Telehealth Ontario for medical advice at 1.866.797.0000 (TTY 1.866.797.0007) or Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200). Be sure to mention your symptoms and your travel history, including the countries you visited. If you are ill and must visit a health care professional, call ahead and tell them that you have a respiratory illness. You may be asked to wear a mask while waiting for or receiving treatment to prevent the spread of illness. If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 and mention your travel history and symptoms.
At this time, the virus is not circulating locally. However, this is a rapidly changing situation requiring that our agency, community, and individuals be prepared for the potential wider spread of the infection in the community.
Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 for information about how you can prepare for the spread of COVID-19, how to monitor your health, and what to do if you think you are sick. For additional information, please call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
QUICK FACTS:
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
There is no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19, but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses. To find out more visit Ontario’s website.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario Implementing Enhanced Measures to Safeguard Public from COVID-19
Learn about travel advisories related to the 2019 novel coronavirus.
If you are a health care professional, learn how to protect yourself and your patients by reading our guidance documents.
