EASTERN ONTARIO – The Eastern Ontario Health Unit has confirmed a second positive test for COVID-19 in its coverage area. A man in his 60’s from the Prescott-Russell area was tested on March 14th. After being tested, the person was discharged and began self-isolation where he presently remains.
The person was experiencing mild symptoms of fever, cough, headache, and aches and pains. Late Tuesday (March 17th) the person’s test was confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. The health unit has been contact-tracing other individuals the infected person may have come in contact with.
The EOHU released this information March 18th, more than two hours after its daily press briefing with media. No explanation has been given why the results were withheld for nearly a day.
“Having another confirmed case in our area is not unexpected given the transmission of this virus around the world,” said EOHU chief medical officer of health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis. “This case is also imported from outside of Canada. Our current containment process aims to identify and isolate individuals to limit the spread into our community and it is working.”
He added that there has been no evidence of local community spread, and that the risk remains low for the region.
The health unit provides a daily update to accredited media each weekday at 4:15 p.m.