The coronavirus is named after its shape which resembles the corona of a star. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)The coronavirus is named after its shape which resembles the corona of a star. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
London

Fifth case of COVID-19 confirmed in Ontario

Public health officials have confirmed a fifth presumptive case of COVID-19 in Ontario.

A woman in her 60s, who had recently travelled to Iran, went to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre's emergency department in Toronto with symptoms consistent with the deadly virus on Monday.

"As per established infection prevention and control protocols, the patient was cared for at the hospital using all appropriate precautions, including being isolated as she was tested for COVID-19," Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said in a statement issued Wednesday.

The woman was discharged from hospital the same day and has been in self-isolation ever since, in accordance with pre-established protocols.

"Toronto Public Health is actively engaging in contact tracing and case management, including following up with the individual and her close contacts," added Dr. Williams.

The woman's virus sample has been sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for final confirmation.

Three people from Toronto - a married couple and a woman in her 20s - and a Western University student in London previously tested positive for COVID-19. All four had recently returned to Canada from China. The married couple and the Western student have since recovered from the illness. The woman in her 20s remains in self-isolation at home.

COVID-19, formerly known as the coronavirus, has spread to more than 80,000 people and killed more than 2,700 worldwide.

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