Public Health confirms fifth case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the region

Waterloo Region – Region of Waterloo Public Health has received laboratory confirmation of a fifth case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Waterloo Region. The illness was acquired during recent travel and the individual was symptomatic during travel.

The confirmed case is a male in his 40s and is a resident of Waterloo Region. It has been determined that he developed mild respiratory symptoms on March 1, while on a Celebrity Cruise, “Celebrity Silhouette”. The cruise departed Fort Lauderdale on February 23 and visited:

• St Croix
• Antigua and Barbuda
• St Lucia
• Grenada
• Barbados
• St Vincent & The Grenadines
• St Kitts & Nevis

The cruise returned to Fort Lauderdale on March 6. For passengers on the affected cruise, Public Health is asking them to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the last day of the cruise. If symptoms develop they are asked to self-isolate and call their local public health unit.

The individual flew from Fort Lauderdale to Toronto Pearson International Airport on Air Transat Flight 571 on March 6. Flight passengers in rows 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 are asked to self-isolate for 14 days. If symptoms develop they are asked to remain self-isolated and call their local public health unit. All other passengers on the flight are asked to self-monitor for symptoms and call their local public health unit if they develop symptoms.

On March 10, he contacted Public Health for assessment and he began self-isolation. He took private transportation to St. Mary’s General Hospital for assessment and testing. All necessary precautions were followed. He was experiencing mild symptoms and was released from hospital to self-isolate at home. He is being monitored by Public Health staff.
We expect to see more confirmed cases in Waterloo Region.

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Media contact:
Julie Kalbfleisch, Manager, Information & Communications
Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
jkalbfleisch@regionofwaterloo.ca