The first case of COVID-19 in Halton was confirmed yesterday afternoon.
The patient is a 32-year old Burlington woman who returned from Hawaii on Saturday.
She is a cancer doctor at Hamilton Health Sciences’ Juravinski Hospital.
HHS Dr. Barry Lumb says they have been preparing for this moment.
A speaker at the press conference stressed that risk to the community remains low.
Medical Officer for Hamilton, Elizabeth Richardson, says the coronavirus should be treated like any other infection in terms of contamination.
Dr. Lumb with HHS says the doctor had met with 14 patients before showing symptoms.
He says they are being very vigilant with the cancer patients.
Dr. Lumb commended the woman for immediately recognizing the symptoms on Monday and getting tested.
He says everyone who came into contact with her at the hospital is taking the necessary precautions of self-isolation.
A list of ways to help avoid the novel coronavirus has been provided by the Halton Region.
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.
