Peterborough Public Health has confirmed its second confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
During a media conference on Wednesday morning, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, medical officer of health, stated test results confirm the second case in its jurisdiction which includes the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation.
She said the individual was in close contact with the first confirmed case of COVID-19 which was announced on Sunday afternoon. That patient is a man in his 30s who travelled to Spain and Portugal in late February. He returned home on Feb. 24 and began to have flu-like symptoms on March 1. He visited Peterborough Regional Health Centre on March 12.
Trent University confirmed the man is associated with its Peterborough campus.
The health unit said the first patient is “doing well” as he continues to self-isolate at home.
The health unit is now testing any individual in contact with the second confirmed case – more details on the case will be released later Wednesday.
The health unit says the first confirmed case was in close contact with 12 other individuals who were being tested. Test results can take up to four to five days.
Salvaterra noted as of Tuesday it had received more than 700 calls and 100 messages left to the health unit’s hotline with questions about COVID-19. The longest wait time for a live call was under nine minutes since the health unit has relocated some staff to answer phones.
The Peterborough Regional Health Centre has opened an COVID-19 assessment centre at its emergency department but advise people should be referred by health professionals before visiting.
More to come.
Source: Read Full Article