Updated at 1:10 p.m.:
A 64-year old man from St. Marys is the first COVID-19 confirmed case in Huron and Perth and is currently in hospital in Stratford.
The confirmation first came across Ontario government's COVID-19 website at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14. 2020.
In a release, Huron Perth Public Health outlined the path of the patient:
"The patient recently travelled to Mexico, returning home on March 2, 2020. When the patient began feeling sick with unrelated illness on March 7, 2020, he began self-isolating at home. On March 12, 2020, the patient went to the emergency department at St. Marys Memorial Hospital with symptoms unrelated to COVID-19. The patient’s condition changed in the emergency department and it was identified that COVID-19 should be considered. Testing and precautions were initiated and he was later transferred to Stratford General Hospital. Currently the patient is in Stratford General Hospital in serious condition."
“We are in the process of conducting case and contact management for this patient and we will continue to update the community as more details are available,” said Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth. "Having an unconfirmed case is not unexpected, given the transmission of this virus globally and the amount of travel that has been happening. Although it is concerning to have a confirmed case, it is important to remember as a community and as a health system we've been preparing for this."
While the patient remains in hospital in Stratford, the President and CEO of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance says all measures are being followed.
"The patient is being cared for under all appropriate guidelines through infection, prevention and control. Our team is very confident and supporting him (the patient) as required," said Andrew Willams, Preisdent and CEO of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance.
But he adds while everyone has to be vigilant, we should all follow public health guidelines.
"Anybody who is experiencing mild symptoms need not come into the system. It's an important message because what we don't want is a significant amount of people showing up who don't need to be tested because it does put pressure on the system and does not allow us to address those who truly need our support," added Williams.
"And people that do have milder symptoms are still asked to stay home and keep our germs to ourselves. So this is a time when were are all in this together," added Klassen.
As of Saturday, March 14, 2020 there were 101 positive COVID-19 cases in the province with cases in Hamilton, Halton and Toronto also being confirmed Saturday.
There was also a case confirmed in London-Middlesex.
You can stay up-to-date on the newest cases by clicking here.
--With files from Steve Sabourin
