HKPR reports 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Haliburton County.
Dr. Norm Bottum says these are the statistics as of now, but that the seventh patient was known about last week after he was tested at the assessment centre. He says there is a delay in information being posted to the Health Unit website.
Dr. Bottum says things are changing weekly, and that moving forward screening is going to be so important. He says they need to trust that Canadians are going to come forward with their symptoms, so they they can test them for the virus and if positive, can isolate them.
Dr. B says as we try to go back to a new normal, they want to make sure they don’t have little outbreaks occurring whether it’s in our communities, our nursing homes or hospitals, or other facilities.
He says we really need people stepping up and saying ‘I might have COVID, I need to isolate myself and get tested’.
Doctor Bottum says the screening tool has changed and it now includes loss of sense of taste or smell, headaches, new digestive issues, fatigue, for the elderly, falling down more than usual and for kids early signs might be sluggishness or loss of appetite.
Dr. B says all of these new symptoms are on the assessment, so check it out at Ontario.ca/coronavirus. For local COVID-19 assistance go to haliburtoncares.ca.