Newmarket Mayor John Taylor is isolating after confirming a positive COVID-19 test result June 20.
Taylor informed town council about it, prompting all of council’s committee of the whole to meet virtually that day to make it easier to chair. He said he would be isolating at home for this week.
He said he has a full range of symptoms and was not at “100 per cent” during the meeting. He said the isolation would last until at least Thursday night.
“I’ll be missing a number of events this week, but that’s what I need to do, I've got to try to keep anybody else from getting it,” he said.
Current provincial regulations require isolation if you have symptoms or have tested positive for the virus. The province's COVID-19 website said an isolation period should be five days, beginning the day after you notice symptoms or test positive, whatever comes first.
It is the first time Taylor has had the virus, he said.
“I sort of thought for a while there, I was going to not get COVID,” he said. “I can tell you I definitely feel sick … very fatigued.”
Taylor said he is unsure of how or where he contracted the virus. He took part in the weekend’s Pride celebrations, interacting with some members of the public.
“I was only outdoors,” he said. “Everybody should do their own research and make their own decisions, but my understanding is (you) only isolate if you’re symptomatic.”
The province advises that if you get exposed to someone with COVID-19 outside your household, you self-monitor for 10 days. During that period, it said you should also wear a mask and avoid activities where mask removal is necessary, and avoid visiting high-risk settings like retirement homes.
Taylor said he would still be working in the meantime, attending meetings via Zoom. Council is scheduled to meet for an in-camera session June 21.
“I’ll try to participate in everything I can,” Taylor said.
