Third and Fourth Algoma residents test positive for COVID-19

On the evening of Saturday March 28, Algoma Public Health received confirmation of two more Algoma residents who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The third Algoma resident to test positive for COVID-19 is a man in his 60s. He had travelled to a Toronto health care facility over one month ago and has since remained admitted under the care of the health professionals there.  There are no exposures within Algoma related to this case.

The fourth Algoma resident to test positive for COVID-19 is a woman in her 60s, with recent travel to Florida.  She developed symptoms on March 23rd, and returned to Algoma via private vehicle on March 25th.  She was tested at Sault Area Hospital’s assessment centre on March 26th.  Since her return home and following testing, this individual has remained in self-isolation at home, with no public exposures.  All close contacts have been identified and notified.

“As expected, we will keep seeing more and more people with COVID-19 in Algoma,” says Dr. Jennifer Loo, Associate Medical Officer of Health.

In order to prevent uncontrolled person-to-person spread in our communities, all of us must act now, to do three things:

1.     Every single person must practice physical distancing.  Avoid close contact with those outside of your immediate families and stay 2 metres apart from other people at all times.

2.     All returning travellers must stay home for 14 days.

3.     Anyone who is ill, even with mild symptoms, must stay home.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing (shortness of breath).

As of March 28, Ontario has banned public events and social gatherings of more than five people: Ontario Prohibits Gatherings of Five People or More with Strict Exceptions.

To protect loved ones and those around them, Algoma residents who are feeling sick should stay home until they no longer have any symptoms.

Any Algoma resident with possible COVID-19 must stay home for 14 days.

• If you are feeling unwell and have recently returned from travel:
  • Take a self-assessment online using the Ministry of Health self-assessment tool<https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-self-assessment>
  • Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
  • Consult your family physician or nurse practitioner
  • Call Algoma Public Health at 705-759-5404 or TF 1-866-892-0172, ext. 5404
  • If you need immediate medical assistance, please call 911, and tell first responders about your symptoms and any recent travel, so that appropriate precautions can be put in place.

To help protect the capacity of our Algoma clinics and hospitals so that they can continue to care for those who need urgent treatment every day, please understand that COVID-19 testing is not recommended or appropriate for everyone.

*   COVID-19 testing is not helpful if you are not sick and have no symptoms.

To reduce the spread of germs including the flu and COVID-19, APH recommends that you:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
• Stay home if you are sick
• Practice physical distancing by avoiding close contact with people outside your immediate families.  This means staying 2 metres apart from others while at work, and while running errands or attending appointments in the community.   Learn more about physical distancing.
  We continue to encourage people to connect with trusted sources for COVID-19 information including the following websites:

Visit the SaultOnline.com COVID-19 Flatten the Curve page for information on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), links to credible resources and what you can do to protect you and your family while helping to Flatten the Curve.