Public Health confirms two more cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the region

Waterloo Region - Region of Waterloo Public Health has received laboratory confirmation of two more cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the region.

The second confirmed case is a female in her 60s and is a resident of Waterloo Region. The illness was acquired on a recent Celebrity Cruise, which left Puerto Rico March 1, visited St Thomas, St Martin, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, and returned to Puerto Rico March 7. It has been determined that she had developed symptoms after returning to Canada on March 8. She was asymptomatic during travel and she self-isolated at home when symptoms developed.

She took private transportation to Grand River Hospital on March 10 for assessment and testing. Hospital staff took all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of staff and other patients. The patient was experiencing mild respiratory symptoms and has been released from hospital.

The third confirmed case is a male in his 40s and is a resident of Waterloo Region. The illness was acquired during travel to Las Vegas. He was asymptomatic during travel and developed symptoms after returning to Canada. He took private transportation to Grand River Hospital on March 10 for assessment and testing. We are in the process of conducting case management for this case. More details to follow.

Both cases are self-isolating at home and are being monitored by Public Health staff.

“This was not unexpected given the current situation around the world,” Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Region of Waterloo’s Acting Medical Officer of Health. “We continue to work closely with local hospitals and our health care partners to detect and manage potential cases of COVID-19. We are preparing to see additional cases in Waterloo Region, in line with the increasing number of cases in Ontario and Canada,” said Dr. Wang.

Residents are reminded that washing your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds is your best defence against the spread of germs and viruses. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if warm water and soap is unavailable.

Testing is ongoing and we expect to see more confirmed cases in Waterloo Region. Future case updates will be updated daily on our website at 10:30 a.m. regionofwaterloo.ca/2019NovelCoronavirus

Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19 ontario.ca/coronavirus

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Media contact:

Julie Kalbfleisch, Manager, Information & Communications

Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services

519-575-4400 ext. 2270

jkalbfleisch@regionofwaterloo.ca

General inquiries:

519-575-4400