Fourth case of COVID-19 confirmed in KFL&A region
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health have announced the fourth case of COVID-19 in the Kingston area.
The new case is that of a woman in her 70s, who recently travelled to the Kingston area from Portugal, and is currently being treated in hospital. KFL&A Public Health would not share any further details.
The fourth case was announced on Thursday, Mar. 19, 2020 at 4:30 p.m., just two days after the first three cases in the area were announced.
Those first three cases, announced by Dr. Kieran Moore, Kingston’s Medical Officer of Health on Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2020, include two females aged 44 and 62, and a 48-year-old male. One of the female patients was later confirmed to be a health care professional at Lennox and Addington County Hospital in Napanee, who had just returned from Barbados. The other two patients had also just returned from travelling to the UK and Spain, Moore explained.
These are certainly stressful times for people and communities. This stress combined with fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 situation can lead to social stigma toward people, places, or things,” Moore said in a message posted on the KFL&A Public Health website on Thursday, Mar. 19, 2020. “It is important to remember that we are all in this together. It is not the time for judging or shaming people that have travelled or anyone who becomes affected with this virus. We are all at risk. Everyone can stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the facts and sharing them with others in our community.”
Moore stressed the importance of social distancing during this pandemic.
“Social distancing is an effective way to slow infectious disease spread. Social distancing works, but like any medicine, it needs to be given in the proper dose and needs time to take effect. Whereas, for returning travellers and those with COVID-19 symptoms, the recommendation is to self-isolate for 14 days.
“Self-isolation is an effective measure to prevent community spread of the virus. It means you go nowhere—stay at home. This includes on your way home from travelling or if you have COVID-19 symptoms, you do not go to the grocery store or pharmacy for your essential supplies; instead, ask family and friends or order online and get them delivered to your doorstep,” his message continued. “We know these measures are disruptive and force adjustments to our daily lives. For the safety of the community, I am asking every person, business, and workplace to make every effort to practice social distancing and if required, self-isolation.”
For more information on COVID-19, including links to resources, and information on changes to services and businesses, visit our quick-reference guide here.