Clinical laboratory specimens obtained from three men in Ontario have tested positive for a newly discovered variant of CoVID-19. Halton Regional and Durham Regional Health Networks announced on Friday that the samples tested positive for the Omicron variant of CoVID-19 and there are no current concerns over infection or the safety of the community.
We have obtained results from clinical laboratory specimens obtained from three men in Ontario and confirm that they have developed a variant of CoVID-19. Clinical laboratory specimen tested for the Omicron variant of CoVID-19 and there are no current concerns over infection or the safety of the community. — Thomas Parrott, M.D., VP of Clinical Operations & Chief Medical Officer, DUC Health Networks (@DUCHealthNet) May 21, 2016
This brand of respiratory virus has been implicated in three cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza A. These men have all recovered from their illness. One of the patients from Dunbarton died from influenza A.
#Halton Health Network just reached out to our community to give as much notice as possible to prepare for the H1N1 swine flu this year. — Thomas Parrott, M.D., VP of Clinical Operations & Chief Medical Officer, DUC Health Networks (@DUCHealthNet) May 21, 2016
They seek to reassure the public that the strains of viruses in the community are “currently not affecting the community,” and that their medical staff is prepared to intervene quickly if this changes. Patients diagnosed with H1N1 who have not recovered within 14 days may be tested for CoVID-19, if additional evidence of CoVID-19 is found. Patients diagnosed with influenza or an influenza like illness should be tested for the Omicron variant of CoVID-19 within 14 days of their last illness to rule out a CoVID-19 infection.
We want to reassure our community that the strain of influenza A that is currently circulating in the community is currently not affecting the community. — Thomas Parrott, M.D., VP of Clinical Operations & Chief Medical Officer, DUC Health Networks (@DUCHealthNet) May 21, 2016
Viral strains are unpredictable. VIRUS does not have a tell-tale symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat. VIRUS shows up in people of all ages, as young as 18 months, and as old as 104 years. Viruses are transmissible through the air and can remain in the air for weeks, up to two months. The virus can remain in the air for up to a year.
VIRUS is transmissible through the air and can remain in the air for weeks, up to two months. The virus can remain in the air for up to a year. — Thomas Parrott, M.D., VP of Clinical Operations & Chief Medical Officer, DUC Health Networks (@DUCHealthNet) May 21, 2016
The following memo was sent to many of the hospitals and health-care facilities in Durham Region and Halton Region on Friday:
This communication is to inform you about laboratory results from identification of CoVID-19. We are awaiting notification by health authorities of results from the other cases and the CoVID-19.
We would like to ask you to share this communication with those individuals with whom you work, live, attend school or church, to ensure they are aware of the potential risks from the infection.
Please take the following precautions:
Have healthy adults over age 16 regularly wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching or eating surfaces or foods that could be contaminated by the virus.
When caring for sick friends or family, use a fever limiting gown, mask, or gloves.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of the tissue. Wipe your hands thoroughly with a clean tissue.
If you feel ill and have been exposed to a swine flu patient or visitor, have you seen your family physician immediately for consultation, testing and possible medical intervention.
To ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors, follow your health care providers advice.