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Our district sees first death related to COVID-19

'This loss stresses the seriousness of the situation we are facing'
coronavirus
(via Vancouver Coastal Health)

The area's first COVID-19 related death has occurred.

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit reports the first death is a woman in her 50s who passed away in the last 24 hours. The Health Unit website indicates the patient was from the Parry Sound District and contracted the virus through "community spread."

"The Health Unit is working collaboratively with the hospitals involved and community stakeholders on contact tracing activities to identify and follow-up with close contacts," says a news release.

"Out of respect for the family, no further information is being shared."

“This loss stresses the seriousness of the situation we are facing," said Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. "We owe it to our loved ones, our friends, neighbours and the community as a whole to stay home as much as possible, physically distance when you need to go out for essentials, wear a facial covering when physical distancing is hard or unable to maintain while in public and follow public health measures.”

Latest figures show 4,658 tests have been done in North Bay/Parry Sound. Twenty-one cases have been reported. Eighteen of the 21 have been resolved with the remaining two self-isolating, along with today's death.

Fifteen of the cases have been in North Bay with six in Parry Sound District.

If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and tell them your symptoms. If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care. If you need further assistance, call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808.