Peel Public Health reports first positive case of COVID-19 in Peel

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MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 5, 2020 /CNW/ - The Region of Peel - Public Health today confirmed the first positive case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the region. The affected individual is a man in his 60s who is a resident of Mississauga.

The individual was aboard the Grand Princess Cruise Ship out of San Francisco from February 11-21 and returned to Canada on February 28.

"The individual was seen and assessed at Trillium Health Partners - Mississauga Hospital where all Infection Protection and Control (IPAC) protocol were followed. The individual is recovering at home and has been put on self-isolation," said Dr. Dante Morra, Chief of Staff, Trillium Health Partners. "I would like to thank our front-line teams, Peel Public Health and Public Health Ontario for their timely and effective response in taking immediate precautions to ensure this patient is being safely and appropriately cared for and that patients, staff and the community are well protected."

To protect the health of the public and prevent community spread, Peel Public Health has immediately launched an investigation to identify potential sites of exposure within our community and any individuals who may have come in close contact with the case during their period of communicability.

"Given the global spread of this virus over the last few weeks, a case in Peel was anticipated and pre-emptive measures were in place for exactly this type of situation," said Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel. "This case contracted the illness outside of our Region and there remains no community spread to date of COVID-19. In this case, the system worked as intended and through coordinated efforts with our partners, the risk to Peel citizens remains low."  

Peel Public Health is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and other local health providers to monitor the situation and protect the community. Additional measures in Peel include increased screenings at Pearson International Airport and early identification protocols for paramedics and hospitals.  

Stay updated on the novel coronavirus in Peel at  peelregion.ca/coronavirus and by following us at @RegionofPeel.  

SOURCE Region of Peel