BREAKING: Residents on flight with Mississauga couple diagnosed with coronavirus urged to self-isolate

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Published March 6, 2020 at 6:06 pm

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Peel Public Health says a second case of coronavirus has been diagnosed in Mississauga, with the new patient being the spouse of the first case. 

Today (March 6), the Region of Peel confirmed the region’s second positive case of COVID-19 was found in a Mississauga woman in her 60s. 

She and her husband returned to Canada on Feb. 28 following travel on the Grand Princess Cruise ship that departed San Francisco on Feb 11.

“The patient came to Trillium Health Partners’ (THP) Mississauga Hospital Emergency Department on March 4 with associated symptoms,” said Dr. Dante Morra, Chief of Staff, THP, in a statement. 

“Thanks to the effective and immediate response of our Emergency Department team and Infection Prevention and Control, the patient was quickly identified and isolated. All appropriate infection prevention and control precautions were taken. The patient returned home and is recovering in self-isolation.”

Peel Public Health’s investigation has determined that the couple may have been able to pass the virus to others during their return. 

Peel Public Health says passengers who were seated in rows 18-22 of West Jet flight 1199, returning to Toronto Pearson Airport from the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix on February 28, are directed to self-isolate and call Peel Public Health immediately at 905-799-7700 (or at 905-584-2216 if in Caledon). 

All other passengers aboard the flight should self-monitor for signs of cough, fever or respiratory issues and call Peel Public Health if symptoms arise up until March 13.

Peel Public Health is actively investigating and following up with close contacts. The public will be notified should a broader community risk be identified.

“Given the global scale of the COVID-19 outbreak, we were prepared for cases in Peel and a coordinated system is in place to manage and contain cases, like these ones, to prevent community transmission,” said Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel, in a statement. 

“The contraction of illness in these cases occurred outside of Canada and there has been no community spread of COVID-19 within Peel or Ontario. The risk to Peel citizens is still low.”

Peel Public Health says it’s is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and other local health providers to monitor the situation and protect the community. 

Additional measures in Peel include increased screenings at Pearson International Airport and early identification protocols for paramedics and hospitals. Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 page to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

At this point, 26 Ontario residents have been diagnosed with coronavirus, and four have since cleared the virus. 

No deaths have been reported in connection with the virus in Canada.

Cover photo courtesy of The Canadian Press

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