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Ottawa Public Health confirms first case of COVID-19 detected in Ottawa

COVID-19, or novel coronavirus disease, has reached Ottawa.

Ottawa Public Health is reporting Ottawa’s first confirmed case of COVID-19. The individual is currently in self-isolation at home with mild symptoms. The confirmed case is a man in his 40s and a resident of Ottawa, Ontario with recent travel history to Austria. The individual was not symptomatic during his flight and is not considered a risk to other passengers.

Ottawa Public Health is in the process of following up with a small number of close contacts of the individual. The investigation is ongoing.

Ottawa Public Health continues to work closely with local hospitals, health care partners, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and national partners to monitor and detect any cases of COVID-19 in the community.

To reduce the spread of germs including the flu and the novel coronavirus, OPH recommends that you:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands
  • Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
  • If possible, stay home if you are sick
  • Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick
  • It is still recommended to get your flu shot if you haven’t already as the flu virus is still circulating in the community

Ottawa Public Health continues to encourage people to connect with trusted sources for coronavirus information including the following websites:

Quotes:

“I want to assure residents of Ottawa that we have been preparing for the presence of COVID-19 in Ottawa and continue to work in close collaboration with our healthcare partners locally, provincially and federally. I urge residents to follow Ottawa Public Health’s recommendations to help reduce the spread of all types of germs that are present in our community.”

Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health