FIRST DEATH NOT MUSKOKAN, BUT MAN FROM BARRIE
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — Confusion and concern surround the Ontario’s first death related to COVID-19.
People in Central Ontario are worried about exactly where the deceased resided and with whom he might have come in close contact with.
Early reports this morning linked the man, first said to be in his 70s, to Muskoka.
Health Minister Christine didn’t deny or clarify that when interviewed at Queen’s Park.
However, this afternoon in a confusing media update in Barrie, Dr. Charles Gardner the chief medical officer of health for Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit said the man was a resident of Barrie.
“He did test positive for COVID-19. However, we have asked for the assistance of the coroner’s office to do a complete examination and investigation to determine whether this person died because of COVID or with COVID,” Elliott told a CTV reporter.
“The coroner’s investigation is ongoing and more will be known about the specific cause of death in the days ahead,” added Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, in another afternoon media briefing.
The man, who is also reported to be a 77-year-old, first presented the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in Barrie, where officials there said two days ago that he died March 11 after coming into contact with another person who had a confirmed case of the coronavirus.
There seemed to be confusion in Gardner’s briefing over whether the deceased man had the virus before he died or whether he died because of coming into contact with another person, possibly another person SMDHU said he was in close contact with.
Gardner said he had been in contact with the province from the beginning and told them what they knew.
Gardner said the victim had other “complex medical conditions” that may be related to his death.
In his statement today, Williams confirmed the man who died was 77 years old and that he did die at RVH.
Williams said the man was “a close contact of a positive case and COVID-19 was recently identified after (his) death. The coroner’s investigation is ongoing and more will be known about the specific cause of death in the days ahead.”
An SMDHU news release Sunday originally said they were notified of the death “potentially related to COVID-19.”
The release said “the man in his 70s, was under investigation by the health unit as a close contact with the region’s third confirmed case of COVID-19, as also reported on Sunday March 15.
The third case person remains in hospital.
“We are saddened by this news and are offering our condolences to the family. Unfortunately, given the gravity of the current situation in the country and Ontario, we are not surprised by this news,” said Gardner in release, SMDHU’s medical officer of health.”
RVH CEO Janice Skot said the hospital has carefully tracked the patient’s movements throughout the health centre and has notified staff and physicians as appropriate.
“RVH is well-prepared to respond to COVID-19 cases and take all precautions necessary to keep our team, our patients and the community safe.”
Meanwhile, Skot said a rush of “hundreds” of people turned out today at the second pre-screening session that RVH co-presented.
This, she said, after about 100 turned out yesterday afternoon at the opening.
SMDHU says they are currently experiencing significant call volume on our phone lines. We thank you for your patience. If you are concerned about your health call your health care provider OR call Telehealth 1-866-797-0000 (24/7).
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