By Staff
March 16th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Dr. David Williams, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health and Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region confirmed the fourth case of COVID-19 in Halton region earlier today.
Halton’s fourth case, a male resident from Burlington in his 30s, returned to Toronto from Miami on March 10 (Flight AC1645; Air Canada).
He became symptomatic on March 10, and presented himself for testing at Joseph Brant Hospital on March 14.
As per established infection prevention and control protocols, the hospital took all precautions, including testing in an isolated environment with all necessary personal protective equipment. Halton Region Public Health is actively engaged in contact tracing and case management. The case is self-isolating at home.
“While we continue to see more cases, I want to reassure residents that most individuals who do contract COVID-19 with mild symptoms will recover on their own,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “Please continue to follow the advice provided by health care professionals, self-monitor or self-isolate as appropriate and simply stay at home if you are feeling unwell.”
“The individual was tested at Joseph Brant Hospital in an isolated environment. Our care team continues to follow all necessary infection prevention protocols and procedures,” said Eric Vandewall, President and Chief Executive Officer at Joseph Brant Hospital. “We are taking all necessary precautions as we screen and care for residents of Halton, and keep our patients, our visitors, our physicians and staff safe.”
Halton Region Public Health is focusing on those most at risk of COVID-19.
Our current priority is to hear from:
• health care providers who are seeking or reporting information;
• residents who have travelled to Hubei province (China), Iran or Italy; and
• residents who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Not everyone requires testing. Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own at home. Get rest, drink fluids, eat well and stay home. You do not need to contact Public Health.
If you are high-risk, please call 311. If you have SEVERE symptoms, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
Moving forward, in lieu of issuing media releases for each new case, Halton Region will report all new confirmed cases of COVID-19 at halton.ca/COVID19.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by regularly reviewing credible information sources. For more information on COVID-19 including symptoms, risk and when to contact Halton Region Public Health, please visit halton.ca/COVID19. To get the latest information on cases in Ontario and to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19, please visit ontario.ca/coronavirus.
