TORONTO -- Ontario health officials have confirmed another case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Toronto, bringing the provincial total to 36, while also confirming one more patient has recovered.
The latest patient is a man in his 40s, who had recently returned home from Switzerland.
He was assessed at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto’s west end before he was released to self-isolate at home.
Of the 36 cases in the province, five patients have recovered thus far.
All of the recovered patients have had two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
Ontario health officials have continuously stated that COVID-19 is “not circulating locally,” but given the “global circumstances” they are working with city and health partners “to plan for the potential of local spread.”
Canada’s first apparent case of community transmission was reported in British Columbia on March 5.
There have been 80 cases of the virus reported in the country thus far. One of those patients, a man in his 80s, died as a result. Officials noted that the man, who was a resident of a care home in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley, had a number of underlying health issues.
Symptoms of the virus are similar to other respiratory infections, according to health officials, and can include fever, cough and difficult breathing.
Officials advise those requiring immediate medical attention to call 911 and mention your travel history and symptoms.
