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Virus spreading in community is no longer travel related, says North Bay health unit

First person to test positive from community transmission
20200330 north bay parry sound district health unit
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. Jeff Turl/BayToday.

NORTH BAY — The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says it has evidence of community transmission of COVID-19 in the region.

"This means the virus is spreading within the community and is not linked to travel or a previously known individual who tested positive," says a news release. "The Health Unit’s first, and to-date only, individual who tested positive due to community transmission is in self-isolation and their close contacts have been contacted by the Health Unit’s Communicable Disease Control program."

It is expected that transmission within the community will continue.

"The Health Unit’s Communicable Disease Control program works with any individual who tests positive to connect with their close contacts. If the person who tested positive was in a location that puts the public at risk the Health Unit will make the public aware," continues the release.

You are being urged to distance yourself from other people. Two metres (6 ft) is recommended.

Gatherings of more than five people are now prohibited, except for private households with five or more people, child care centres supporting frontline health care workers and first responders provided the number of persons at each location does not exceed 50 people.

Funerals would be permitted to proceed with up to 10 people at one time.

“We want to thank the community for working together to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by physical distancing. The public is the first line of defence and by continuing to stay home, regularly washing your hands or using alcohol-based sanitizers, not touching your face and covering your cough or sneeze we are keeping ourselves and those around us safe,” said Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health.

Meanwhile Timiskaming District announced today that a second person there has tested positive.


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Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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