On Thursday came news a lot of people in the area were expecting.
The first confirmed positive case of COVID-19 was reported in the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit coverage area. For Mayor Joanne Savage, it really highlights the need for residents to stay home.
“I have to say that there are still people out there that may not take the issue seriously, and we all aim that they do,” she said. “Unfortunately, we are going to see positive cases. Let’s hope we can keep it to as low a number as possible and not let it escalate and be more of a crisis.”
“We want to not burden our health systems,” Savage continued. “We want to make sure that we have the facilities to be able to provide the treatment required. As a citizen and as a community, our duty is to make sure we play an active role without prevention.”
The person who did test positive was a woman in her 60’s who had travelled recently. She returned to the area on March 13 and immediately quarantined. Dr. Jim Chirico, the medical officer of health at the health unit says she should be commended for her actions.
“She’s a great example that the system is working,” Chirico said. “As a traveller, she was aware of COVID-19 and followed the instructions when returning to Canada. She immediately isolated herself for 14-days and monitored for symptoms. When symptoms started, the individual followed proper protocols by calling the health unit, who referred her to the North Bay Regional Health Centre’s assessment centre.”
“It was expected we would eventually have a resident confirm positive for COVID-19 in our district,” he added. “We anticipate more people will become ill with COVID-19. How many, and how quickly this will occur is unknown. It is very likely we will have deaths as well. It will get worse before it gets better. More importantly, it will get better.”
With the first positive case, Savage echoes Chirico’s sentiments of there will be more.
“It’s disappointing but we are not immune to the situation,” she explained. “I’m sure the individual will be provided all the health services that are required for a recovery, but it is an indicator that we need to step up to the plate and do our part in mitigating the spread of this virus.”
With all the bad news out there, however, the Mayor says the efforts by everyone has not gone unnoticed.
“I want to extend recognition to all our health service workers, front line workers, emergency services, and the people who are providing essential services to the community, kudos,” she said. “Thank you to the businesses that are open providing services and maintaining a safe workspace for their employees and patrons.”