March 24, 2020 – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has confirmed a case of COVID-19 in a resident at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Guelph. A male in his 80s tested positive for COVID-19 and is in stable condition at this time. WDG Public Health is working closely with St. Joseph’s Health Centre to ensure that the ill individual and the facility are managed appropriately.
Public Health routinely works with hospitals, long-term care facilities, and retirement homes to manage ill individuals and to prevent outbreaks through appropriate infection control measures. WDG Public Health has extensive experience managing facility outbreaks and is prepared to address a COVID-19 outbreak should it occur within our community.
“We are working very closely with St. Joseph’s Health Centre to ensure that all appropriate infection control measures are being taken,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. “We know that COVID-19 is circulating in our community and this incident further emphasizes the importance of social distancing. We are asking members of our community to stay home as much as possible and to avoid visits to hospitals, long-term care facilities, or retirement homes unless absolutely essential.”
As the virus continues to circulate in our community, the public should remember they play a vital role in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19. The virus is easily killed with low-level disinfectants like soap and household cleaners. Handwashing and cleaning high-touch surfaces (door handles, light switches, counter tops, stove and oven dials, phones) will help reduce individual exposure and limit the spread of COVID-19.
Now that confirmed cases are present in our region, many in the public want to know about what do if they think they may be infected. If no symptoms are present, people should continue to monitor themselves for symptoms and get information online from reliable sources. For mild symptoms, stay home and self-isolate. The online self-assessment tool can help determine if individuals need to seek further care. Continue to monitor symptoms and get information online from reliable sources. For moderate symptoms –fever, cough or shortness of breath – individuals should contact their family doctor to arrange an over-the-phone assessment. They may direct individuals to an assessment clinic.
Individuals who are sent to an assessment clinic will be seen by a clinician who will provide further instruction. If a test is required, the clinician will make the arrangements. Not all individuals will be tested once assessed.
For severe symptoms, please go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.
Media Contact
Chuck Ferguson
Manager, Communications
1-800-265-7293 ext. 4374
chuck.ferguson@wdgpublichealth.ca
Danny Williamson
Communications Specialist
1-800-265-7293 ext. 4376