Province confirms new presumptive case of coronavirus

The Ontario government confirmed today a new presumptive positive case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Toronto.

“On February 21, an adult woman arrived to Canada from China and presented at North York General Hospital’s emergency department at the advice of Telehealth Ontario with an intermittent cough that was improving,” the province said in a statement.

“As per established infection, prevention and control protocols, the patient was cared for at North York General Hospital using all appropriate precautions including being isolated and was tested for COVID-19.”

She was since discharged from the hospital and, per protocols, went into self-isolation at home.

The Public Health Ontario Laboratory confirmed today, February 23, that the laboratory testing for COVID-19 is presumptive positive.

“Given the individual’s clinical assessment and history, there is a low risk that she was infectious. The individual followed all protocols and wore a mask throughout her travels back to Toronto and, since landing, the woman has had very limited exposure to other individuals,” the province says.

Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, is assuring the public that the risk to Ontarians remains low due to the protocols and procedures in place to contain the virus.

Ontario’s first three cases of coronavirus have all been resolved, with each of the patients having two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

Visit the province’s website for more information about coronavirus and steps you can take to stay safe.