The Region of Waterloo Public Health revealed Friday that the fourth case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has been confirmed.
On Public Health’s website, it says that a woman in her 50s contracted the virus while travelling in France and the United Kingdom.
She was tested at Grand River Hospital and is now self-isolating at home.
On Thursday, the agency announced two other confirmed cases.
Public Health says that a woman in her 60s was on a Caribbean cruise from Mar. 1 through Mar. 7 and discovered the symptoms when she arrived home the following day.
READ MORE: Public Health confirms 1st COVID-19 case in Waterloo Region
In the other instance, a man in his 40s acquired the illness on a trip to Las Vegas.
They were both tested at Grand River Hospital as well.
Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region’s acting medical officer of health, said the man was initially sent home but returned to Grand River Hospital later Thursday after his symptoms became more serious.
She said he is currently in stable condition.
The first confirmed case in Waterloo Region was announced by Public Health on Mar. 5. In that instance, a woman had returned from a trip abroad to Italy.
Wang told Global News on Thursday that the woman is recovering well at home.
Wang released new recommendations on Friday for area residents including limits on gatherings as well as restrictions for travelling and travellers.
“It is my recommendation that all large gatherings of 250 people and all international events be postponed or cancelled. This does not apply to post-secondary institutions and workplaces at this time,” she said.
She also recommended that schools and businesses be flexible in allowing employees and students to work from home.
Wang also warned residents to avoid all non-essential travel.
“Waterloo Region residents should postpone all non-essential travel outside of Canada including to the United States,” she said.
“Returning travellers to Waterloo Region refrain from visiting patients in hospital, visiting long-term care homes or retirement homes, visiting the elderly or those with chronic health conditions.”
She also asked that “children who have travelled outside of Canada, should not return to child-care settings including daycare and camps for 14 days.”
Wang also asked travellers returning from Italy to self-isolate for 14 days. Those returning from Hubei province, China and Iran had already been asked to do so while visitors to all other countries are being asked to self-monitor.
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