Ontario Confirms New Positive Cases of COVID-19

All Protocols Followed and Risk to Ontarians Remains Low

News.ontario.ca
March 8, 2020

This afternoon, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, confirmed two more positive cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Ontario to 31. Of these, four cases in the province are all resolved, with each of those patients having two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

A female in her 60s returned from France on March 2, 2020 and presented herself to Scarborough Health Network - General Site's emergency department, in Toronto, on March 7. A male in his 60s returned from Washington, D.C. on March 3, 2020 and presented himself to North York General Hospital's emergency department, also in Toronto, on March 7.

In both cases, the hospital took all necessary precautions and followed standard operating procedures, including testing and assessment. The patients have been discharged home where they remain in self-isolation. Toronto Public Health is actively engaged in contact tracing and case management.

As a result of the coordinated efforts of our health care and public health system, all individuals who have tested positive have been quickly assessed and isolated.

At this time, the virus is not circulating locally. However, given the global circumstances, Ontario is actively working with city and health partners to plan for the potential of local spread. The province continues to carefully monitor this situation and encourage residents to stay informed by regularly reviewing credible information sources.

Dr. Williams will provide an update on the situation at the regularly scheduled media briefing Monday, March 9, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. at the Queen's Park media studio.

For more details please contact your local Public Health Unit and visit Ontario's website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.