Simcoe County’s first COVID-19 case; a man in his 40’s, recently returned from Spain, sought treatment at RVH

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has confirmed Barrie’s first case of COVID-19.

A man in his 40’s who had just returned from Spain and sought treatment at Barrie’s Royal Victoria Hospital, has tested positive for the disease, and is now in self-isolation. The Health Unit says he went to Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie on March 9th.

“RVH’s team is mobilized and well-prepared to respond to COVID-19. Our frontline staff took all necessary precautions and strictly followed all infection prevention and control protocols in order to care for the patient effectively, while keeping themselves and others safe,” says RVH President and CEO Janice Skot. “I want to assure our region that RVH is very safe for patients and visitors. Our health centre remains open, and clinics and procedures continue to operate as normal.”

“The role of public health is to manage the spread of infectious diseases like this one and keep our residents safe and well,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, SMDHU’s medical officer of health. “These are early hours in our investigation, and we are working closely with the individual to follow up on known contacts who may have potentially been exposed to the virus and possible exposure sites.”

This man represents the latest in 59 cases of COVID-19 in Ontario; of those, five people have since recovered.

For more information call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520. Health Connection’s hours are extended to 9 p.m. tonight and to 9 p.m. Friday night. Hours are also extended to Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (phone only).

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