Dr. Jim Chirico applauded the efforts of North Bay's first official positive case of COVID-19. A woman in her 60s, who had travelled abroad to Egypt, according to the Ontario Ministry of Health website, was identified and is currently in self-isolation.
The woman, who is listed as the 789th person to test positive for the disease in Ontario. Sources say she was part of a tour group organized in North Bay.
"This individual should be highly commended for the actions she took to protect others," said Dr. Jim Chirico, the District's Chief Medical Officer of Health, during Thursday's press conference.
"She is also a great example that demonstrates that the system is working."
Chirico did not give a specific date she returned to North Bay. However, he noted that she was aware of COVID-19 and followed the instructions when returning to Canada.
"She immediately isolated herself for 14 days and monitored for symptoms," said Chirico.
She was not communicable on her flight. She followed proper protocol by self-isolating upon return and calling the Health Unit when she started to show symptoms, she did not have any close contacts.
"When symptoms started the individual followed proper protocol by calling the Health Unit who referred her to the North Bay Regional Health Centre's Assessment Centre. The Health Unit notified the assessment centre prior to arrival in a private vehicle whereupon she was met staff in full personal protective equipment. She was provided a mask and was isolated."
Chirico says after the assessment, she was tested and provided further education and instructions.
"The individual was well enough to return home and continues to self isolate for the remainder of the 14 days. The Health Unit continues to monitor her progress."
Chirico credits a number of local and provincial agencies including the City of North Bay for getting the assessment centre up and running so quickly.
The other assessment centres are being put together in both West Nipissing and Mattawa to join the assessment centres already in place in North Bay and Parry Sound.
Chirico says the collaborative effort will help slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.
"It was expected we would have a resident confirmed positive for COVID-19 within our district and we anticipate more people will become ill with COVID-19, how many and how quickly this will occur is unknown," said Chirico.
"Sadly we will see more cases and more people becoming ill with COVID-19, it is very likely we will have deaths as well. It will get worse before it gets better but more importantly, it will get better."
