RAINY RIVER, Ont. - Northwestern Ontario now has its third confirmed case of COVID-19, after a patient at the Rainy River Assessment Centre tested positive. There is still no evidence of community transmission in the region, as all confirmed cases to this point have been travel-related.
The Northwestern Health Unit says the individual had travelled to the United States, and has been in voluntary self-isolation since returning. Dr. Ian Gemmill, the acting Medical Officer of Health for the health unit, said that significantly lowers the risk that they may have spread the virus within the community.
"This person did everything right, and in turn, has protected our communities,” he said in a release. “Because this person was responsible and self-isolated, we expect that there will be very few exposed contacts, if any.”
To protect anonymity, the health unit has said no further details about the case will be released. The organization is now working to identify and quarantine anyone who may have come in contact with the individual.
This newest confirmed case brings the total number in northwestern Ontario to three, along with one announced March 14 in a Fort Frances resident, and another announced earlier Friday by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
One additional case has been announced by the Northwestern Health Unit, however that individual's primary residence is in southern Ontario, and the health unit reports they have not been in the region since contracting the virus.
