Public health officials in Ontario have identified a fifth presumed positive case of coronavirus, and it’s in Toronto.
According to Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, the new case of COVID-19 in Toronto is awaiting confirmation, and it has been sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
“On February 24, 2020, a woman in her 60s presented herself at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s emergency department with a travel history to Iran,” reads a release from the province.
“As per established infection prevention and control protocols, the patient was cared for at the hospital using all appropriate precautions, including being isolated as she was tested for COVID-19. The woman was discharged home the same day and, per protocols, went into self-isolation where she remains.”
The province said that Toronto Public Health is actively engaging in contact tracing and case management, including following up with the individual and her close contacts.
The fourth confirmed case in the province was identified just a few days ago on February 23.
At the time, Toronto Public Health said the patient returned to Toronto after travelling to China, and had an intermittent cough that was improving.
According to de Villa, the person was wearing a mask during their travels and upon arrival in Toronto the person was given instructions at the airport to contact Ontario’s Telehealth information line.
A referral was then made for the individual to go to a hospital.
“The person presented immediately to the hospital and after completing a thorough medical assessment, COVID-19 testing was initiated,” de Villa said. “After that, the patient was discharged and is presently recovering well at home in isolation. Since arriving in Toronto, the individual has had very limited exposure to others.”
As of Wednesday morning, these two patients are Ontario’s only confirmed positive and presumptive positive cases.
There are also 21 cases under investigation.
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