Sudbury’s COVID caseload has reached 50.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts announced Friday a male in his 50s from Greater Sudbury has been diagnosed with COVID-19. He is currently self-isolating. It is believed he was infected after close contact with a known case. This marks Sudbury’s 50^thcase of coronavirus since PHSD began keeping track.

The good news is that PHSD is reporting 38 cases have been resolved and there is still only one death associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

PHSD is reporting there have been two cases on Manitoulin Island and two within the Sudbury district, but most COVID-19 cases – 46 – have been confirmed within the City of Greater Sudbury.

PHSD has released some interesting statistics. While the elderly remain the highest-risk group, infections in Sudbury have been more commonplace amongst younger people. Eighteen people between 40 and 59 years of age have been infected; while 15 people aged 20-39 have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Three people under the age of 19 and 13 people aged 60-79 have been diagnosed. Just one person over the age of 80 has contracted the virus, according to PHSD statistics.

Most people in Sudbury – 21 – have been infected via contact with a known case. Sixteen people contracted coronavirus from travelling while six are known to have traveled and been in contact with a case. Community spread is evident, as seven people have no travel history and no contact with a known case.

“For anyone who travelled in the last 14 days, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website for daily updates on COVID-19 exposures on flights, cruise ships and mass gatherings,” PHSD said in its briefing. “Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada is directed to self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival in Canada. If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate, then contact an assessment centre or use the online self-assessment tool to see if you need to seek further care.”

Symptoms may range from mild to severe and typically include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Other less frequent symptoms of COVID-19 have been reported to include fatigue, muscle aches, loss of appetite, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste and smell, and diarrhea. Complications from COVID-19 can include serious conditions such as pneumonia or kidney failure. In some cases it can be fatal.

Health Sciences North said Friday there are three admitted patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. Two are in the intensive care unit. HSN also has 15 admitted patients who are under investigation for COVID-19; four of those patients are currently in the ICU.

As a result of the pandemic, visitors are still restricted.

“For the safety and well-being of staff and patients, and to maintain social distancing, visitor restrictions remain in effect at HSN during the COVID-19 pandemic. No visitors are permitted at HSN until further notice,” the hospital said Friday. “These restrictions also apply to people coming to the emergency department. The only exceptions to these restrictions would be for essential visitors. An essential visitor includes an approved visitor of a patient who is dying or very ill; a parent or guardian of an ill child or youth; a visitor for a patient undergoing surgery or a woman giving birth​; or a support person for patients with a cognitive or language impairment, or a language barrier.”

Globally, there are 2.8 million cases of COVID-19 so far. In Canada, as of Friday 42,750 people have been infected.To date, about 2,195 people in Canada have died. Ontario and Quebec have been the hardest hit in the country. Together, the two provinces account for 35,357 of the country’s total coronavirus caseload. In Ontario, 13,519 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, with 763 deaths. To date, 1,243 people in Quebec have died from the illness.

For more information on self-isolation, self-assessment and the assessment centres, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call PHSD at 705-522-9200 (toll-free: 1-866-522-9200). Visit ontario.ca to learn more about the province’s response to COVID-19.

mkkeown@postmedia.com

Twitter: @marykkeown

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