Peel Public Health provides updated information on coronavirus
Published March 2, 2020 at 2:56 pm
While the risk of contracting the new novel coronavirus (now called COVID-19) remains low in the Region of Peel (Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon), Peel Public Health is providing residents with updated information in the wake of an uptick in diagnoses in Ontario.
“Peel Public Health continues to work closely with health system partners (hospitals, paramedics, health care providers) and the provincial and federal governments to ensure a coordinated response,” the agency wrote in a letter to residents.
“To date, there have been no cases of COVID-19 in Peel Region. The risk of getting COVID-19 in Peel Region and Ontario remains low because the virus is not spreading in the general community due to effective surveillance, and case and contact management.”
Peel Public Health says that globally, COVID-19 has been found in several new areas of the world and in some areas, community transmission is occurring.
The Ministry of Health has expanded the list of impacted areas beyond mainland China to include South Korea, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, Iran and Japan.
The government of Canada has issued COVID-19 travel health advisories for each of these areas. If you are planning to travel, you are advised to consult the government’s website for travel advice and advisories related to COVID-19.
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If you have just returned from a COVID-19 impacted area, be sure to monitor your health for flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, and difficulty breathing) for 14 days upon return.
If flu-like symptoms develop, contact Peel Public Health immediately and refer to Peel Public Health’s guide on how and where to get medical help. You do not need to contact Peel Public Health if you are well.
If you or your family have returned from Hubei province in China in the last 14 days, you are asked to stay at home and avoid close contact with others, including those in your home, for 14 days after leaving the impacted area. You should also contact Peel Public Health for further instructions and important information.
The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other more common viruses is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose as much as possible, avoid contact with people who are ill and their items, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and sneeze or cough into the sleeve or arm if you do not have a tissue on hand.
Residents are also advised to clean and disinfect objects and surfaces regularly and stay home if they are ill.
“Peel Public Health continues to carefully monitor the COVID-19 situation and is committed to continuing to share the most recent information around COVID-19. Parents and students should continue to follow trusted online sources including Peel Public Health and the Ministry of Health webpages,” Peel Public Health says.
If you have any concerns or questions about COVID-19, please call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 (Caledon residents can call 905-584-2216).
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