REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
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NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York has been notified of three new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case number to four.
York Region announced its first positive case of COVID-19 yesterday.
The first new positive case is a male in his 40s and the spouse of York Region’s first Iran travel-related case. He had travelled with his wife and toddler but was asymptomatic on all flights. He was tested and assessed at Mackenzie Health Hospital in the City of Richmond Hill on Friday, February 28. He had self-isolated prior to developing symptoms and has had no community exposure while symptomatic.
The second new positive case is a male in his 50s and City of Toronto resident temporarily living in the City of Vaughan. He is the brother of one of Toronto’s recently reported cases who travelled to Iran. He did not develop symptoms until after arrival in Canada. He also self-isolated and has had no community exposure. He was assessed and tested at Mackenzie Health Hospital on Friday, February 28.
The third new positive case is a female in her 70s from the Town of Newmarket and a contact of the recently reported positive Egypt travel-related Toronto case. She was in Egypt with the known Toronto case. She was tested and assessed at Southlake Regional Health Centre on Saturday, February 29. Since testing, she has been in self-isolation. York Region Public Health is working diligently on its usual process of risk assessment and contact follow up.
As a result of the coordinated efforts of our healthcare and public health system, all individuals who have tested positive have been quickly assessed and isolated.
York Region Public Health is actively following up on all close contacts of these positive cases. Individuals that were not in direct or close contact with these individuals are not considered at risk of becoming infected.
The risk to York Region residents of COVID-19 continues to remain low and there is no evidence of community spread within York Region.
York Region Public Health continues to collaborate with local hospitals, emergency services and other health agencies to ensure prompt reporting and follow up of all individuals who may require testing for COVID-19.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Residents can take the following steps to protect themselves from this new and emerging disease:
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, including between your fingers, under your fingernails and your wrists. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Cover your cough or sneeze using a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve, being sure to cover your mouth. Put used tissue in the garbage and wash your hands after or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- If you are sick, stay home from work or school until your symptoms resolve. If symptoms get worse, you may need to seek medical attention. Call your health care provider first, when possible
- Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing
- Increase cleaning and disinfection frequency of high-touch surfaces such as toilets, sink tap handles, doorknobs, countertops, light switches and other shared items using regular household cleaners
- Avoid sharing personal items that come into contact with saliva such as toothbrushes, eating utensils drinks/water bottles and towels
Visit york.ca/covid19 or Ontario.ca/coronavirus for more information. If you have additional questions, please contact Health Connection, Monday to Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-361-5653.
For Sunday, March 1, 2020, Health Connection has extended its hours to remain open until 8 p.m.
You may also contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for medical advice. Telehealth Ontario is a free confidential service you can call to receive health advice or information. A registered nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 54,000 businesses with 650,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices
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