Chatham-Kent’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Colby, announced this morning that Chatham-Kent has its first coronavirus victim.
At a press conference at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre, Colby said a 52-year-old man has tested positive for the virus.
Officials report the man is doing fine and is self-isolating at home.
It is believed he contracted the illness on a cruise ship.
CK Public Health officials said staff are following up with his close contacts, who will be advised to self-isolate at home for the next 14 days.
“This does not change, in any way, what we have been asking of the public,” Colby said in a media release. “We must continue to closely abide by the measures that have been directed in order to halt the further spread of this virus within our community.”
Effective Thursday, the CKHA will open an assessment centre, which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
To date, officials say 52 people have been tested in C-K, with 38 coming up negative and the remaining 14 awaiting results.
CK Public Health officials direct the following actions to not only help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Exercise social distancing:
- avoid non-essential trips in the community
- limit, postpone or cancel group gatherings
- conduct meetings virtually wherever possible
- keep a physical distance of at least 2 metres between yourself and others
- keep children away from group settings
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If you are unable to access soap and water, use 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue or into your elbow, not into your hand.
- Now and in any cold and flu season, stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
As a reminder if you’ve returned to Canada from travel (including from the United States) in the last 14 days, you need to self-isolate at home.
CK Public Health offiicals said staff continues to actively monitor this developing situation actively, in collaboration with national and provincial health agencies, as well as local community partners.
For more information about COVID-19, residents are asked to please visit www.ckpublichealth.com/covid19 or call the CK Public Health COVID-19 intake line at 519-355-1071 ext. 1900.
More details to come.
Thank you for informing us.
Where in CK does this man live please?
Chatham
What’s his name?
Privacy regulations prevent release of such information.
Can you please let us know which Pharmacies he has visited looking for products for his symptoms
We do not have access to that information.
It does not help that businesses that have NO right to be running are still running. Pest control companies who have over 13,000 techs who enter over 22,000 different places weekly from, nursing homes, grocery stores, hospitals, private homes and so on are just going to be come carriers. This just one example of a non essential service that is allowed to keep running. Public safety and employees safety is not being protected.
names of individuals should be shared as this is a very very serious situation. town or city should be clearly stated, I heard the man was from tilbury. I am from tilbury and work in a retirement home with many vulnerable elderly people. I am doing my part to work and stay home, although I still need gas and groceries for my family of five I have to take the chance to get these things. this information should be provided to the public, or if it is where can I find it. help protect more people, then just the ones infected.
People are entitled to their privacy. Health care information is closely guarded information. The man is from Chatham.