4 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ontario

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health confirmed four new positive cases of coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Ontario to 15.

Provincial health officials say three of the people are from York Region and one person is from Toronto.

Among the cases confirmed is a man in his 50’s who is currently living in Vaughan. He is the brother of one of Toronto’s recently reported cases who travelled to Iran. He was assessed and tested at Mackenzie Health Hospital in Richmond Hill on Feb. 28 and is currently in self-isolation.

Another positive case is a man in his 40s who is the spouse of York Region’s first case, which was announced on Saturday. He had travelled with his wife and toddler but was asymptomatic on all flights. Officials say she had self-isolated prior to developing symptoms and has had no community exposure since.

A third man in his 60’s has also been diagnosed after he returned from Iran last Sunday. He was assessed and discharged from North York General Hospital and is currently in self-isolation.

The fourth case is a woman in her 70’s from Newmarket who was in Egypt with a Toronto man who was diagnosed with the virus back on Feb. 28. She was tested and assessed at Southlake Regional Health Centre and has been in self-isolation since Feb. 29.

Thus far, health officials have said, all of the cases of COVID-19 in Canada are either in people who had recently travelled abroad or who were in close contact with those who had. British Columbia has reported eight cases, and Quebec is reporting one.

“At this time, the virus is not circulating locally,” read a statement from provincial health officials. “However, given the global circumstances, Ontario is actively working with city and health partners to plan for the potential of local spread.”

Mayor John Tory said public health officials continue to work with both provincial and federal counterparts on a coordinated response to ensure “we are ready for an increase in COVID-19 cases.”

“At times like this, we have to follow the advice of our public health experts – who continue to advise the risk to the public is low – and avoid both complacency or panic,” said Tory. “I have believed from Day One it is important to make decisions and take action based on the advice of our excellent professionals and that is exactly what we are doing.”