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UPDATE: York Region retracts report of community-spread COVID-19 case

A woman in her 30s has been hospitalized
covid-19-swab-test-positive
Stock photo

UPDATE, March 21: 

York Region's public health unit is withdrawing its confirmation of the first community-acquired COVID-19 case in the region, which was an error resulting from inaccurate information. The confirmed case, reported as the region's 35th on its dedicated website last night as "local transmission" in Vaughan, is actually for a resident within the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, according to Patrick Casey, director of corporate communications.

"Our public health team was provided with out-of-date information," he said. "That case has been removed from our site and we are no longer confirming the first evidence of local transmission in the community."

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Original story, March 20:

A woman in her 30s in Vaughan is York Region's first community-acquired COVID-19 case, in which the source of transmission in unknown.

The woman has been hospitalized.

"This case represents the first evidence of community spread," confirmed York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey.

COVID-19 cases are reported as community spread, community acquired or local transmission when investigation by public health officials is unable to determine the source of the infection.

York Region is reporting the case as local transmission, which is defined as "Individuals who did not have close contact with a travel-related case, or individuals for whom it cannot be determined with certainty that they acquired COVID-19 outside of Canada," Casey said.

York Region public health will not provide further details regarding the case unless public assistance is required in locating close contacts, Casey said.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Karim Kurji is expected to provide additional comment tomorrow, he added.

York Region also reported its first close contact COVID-19 cases this week, a woman in her 20s in East Gwillimbury who is in self-isolation, and a man in his 80s in Vaughan who is hospitalized.

Of the 35 cases in York Region, 11 cases are in Vaughan, 10 in Markham, seven in Richmond Hill, two in Newmarket, two in East Gwillimbury, two in Aurora and one in Stouffville.

 


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Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is NewmarketToday's editor. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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