Two more positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Peterborough area, according to the region’s health unit.
On Tuesday morning, Peterborough Public Health stated there are now five confirmed cases in its jurisdiction, which includes the city of Peterborough, Peterborough County and the First Nations of Curve Lake and Hiawatha.
Medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said on Tuesday morning that one of the cases is a woman who recently returned from Florida. She has five close contacts who are being followed up by Peterborough Public Health.
“The exposure took place in Florida,” Salvaterra said.
The other case is a man who recently returned from a bonspiel in Edmonton.
“We just got the test results this morning and we have nurses following up on the contacts,” said Salvaterra.
She noted that the woman was wearing a protective mask and has been practising self-isolation since returning home. The man is also in self-isolation, she said.
On Monday, both the city and county declared a state of emergency in response to the new coronavirus pandemic.
A total of 428 people have been tested in the region to date, said Salvaterra.
According to Peterborough Public Health, as of Tuesday, there are five confirmed cases and 283 cases under investigation, and 140 COVID-19 tests have come back negative.
Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien joined the press conference via telephone to announce the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will be used as an emergency shelter space to help address the spread of the new coronavirus.
The city’s overflow shelter on Murray Street and the Brock Mission will be temporarily closed. The space may also be used as secondary shelter space for Cameron House and YES Shelter for Youth and Families to allow for social distancing within those shelters.
The city says the centre offers a space that has multiple gyms and rooms in which people can properly space themselves. There’s expected to be 45 to 50 beds but more can be added, if required.
“We’re encouraging people to practise social distancing — they’re not really about to do that in the shelter system right now,” said Therrien.
Community services commissioner Sheldon Laidman noted that efforts are being made to ensure those who use the downtown-area shelters can reach the Sport and Wellness Centre in the city’s west end near Fleming College.
“We are ensuring that it’s co-ordinated with the shelters to ensure that people can access the centre,” he said. “There’s currently city transit available to the city so that would be our first priority to use what’s available. That’s seen as an appropriate way for people to access the facility.”
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The same existing services at the shelters will be available at the Sport and Wellness Centre, he said.
By the numbers from Peterborough Public Health as of 11 a.m Tuesday:
- Confirmed positive: 5
- Confirmed negative: 140
- Under investigation: 283
- Deceased: 0
- Hospitalized cases: 0
- Current status of hospitalized cases: n/a
- Unusual cases: n/a
More to come.
CORRECTION 3:05 p.m.: An earlier version of this story stated five close contacts were being tested. In fact, Peterborough Public Health says they only test individuals if they have symptoms and meet additional criteria. It doesn’t mean they are automatically tested. The story has been updated.
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