New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, announced Thursday at a conference that the first presumptive COVID-19 case has been confirmed.
Russell said that the case relates to a woman between the ages of 50 and 60 who had travelled from France.
“The person was self-monitoring, then immediately self-isolated when she developed symptoms and called 811,” said Russell.
READ MORE: Presumptive case of coronavirus recorded in New Brunswick, says health official
She also noted that all the people who came in contact with the woman have been self-isolating.
To address public anxiety in the wake of the first confirmed case, Russell said that she’s strongly encouraging non-essential activities and events of 100 people or more to be suspended.
She recommends that people avoid shaking hands, maintain proper hygiene, keep a six-foot distance from people and avoid buffet-style eating, and for event gatherers to safely isolate those who become ill on site.
Horizon Health Network has also announced an update to minimize close contact. It stated in a tweet that anyone who has traveled outside the country is restricted from visiting any patient in their facilities for 14 days after returning to Canada.
Canada has now surpassed 100 cases of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, according to tallies from the provinces.
As of Thursday, Johns Hopkins CSSE said there were more than 127,500 confirmed cases worldwide. There have been more than 4,700 deaths.