COVID-19 update

On behalf of Dr. Joshua Tepper, President and CEO

On February 21, an adult patient arrived at North York General Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) with an intermittent dry cough after traveling from China to Canada.

As per our infection control protocols, the patient was cared for using the appropriate precautions and was tested for COVID-19. Given they were mildly ill, they were discharged home after a few hours in the ED with clear instructions to self-isolate. Toronto Public Health was notified and has been following up with the patient. The Ontario Public Health Laboratory confirmed February 23 that the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg laboratory testing for COVID-19 is positive.

An incredible amount of work has been done in the last several weeks at the hospital to prepare for a patient presenting who has COVID-19. Our staff and physicians cared for the patient and followed infection prevention and control protocols with professionalism, clinical excellence and a patient-centred approach. I commend them for the exemplary care they provided.