Toronto

Ontario confirms 3 new cases of coronavirus, bringing total to 23 in province

Ontario health officials are confirming 3 more cases of novel coronavirus, on the same day they revealed another person has recovered from the illness. 

33 cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed in Canada

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February shows the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, orange, emerging from the surface of cells, green, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. (NIAID-RML/The Associated Press)

Ontario health officials are confirming 3 more cases of COVID-19, on the same day they revealed another person has recovered from the illness.

Late on Thursday, Peel Public Health confirmed the first positive case of the coronavirus in Peel region. The affected individual is a man in his 60s who is a resident of Mississauga.  

The man was aboard the Grand Princess Cruise Ship out of San Francisco from Feb. 11 to 21. He returned to Canada on Feb. 28, health officials said in a statement.

"The individual was seen and assessed at Trillium Health Partners-Mississauga Hospital, where all infection protection and control (IPAC) protocol were followed," said Dr. Dante Morra, chief of staff with Trillium Health Partners.

"The individual is recovering at home and has been put on self-isolation." 

More than 1,500 people tested for COVID-19 

There are now 19 positive patients and four resolved cases, according to the provincial health ministry.

Provincial statistics show more than 1,500 people have been tested for the virus so far with 78 people currently under investigation.

Earlier today health officials reported two other cases — a woman in her 50s who returned to Kitchener, Ont., from Italy and a man who returned to Toronto from Iran.

The woman returned from a trip to Italy on March 3 and presented herself to Grand River Hospital's emergency department in Kitchener.

She was assessed, tested, and discharged home the same day.

Health officials say the patient is experiencing mild symptoms and remains in self-isolation at home with minimal contact with others.

The provincial health ministry says the hospital followed standard operating procedures and continues taking necessary precautions.

The Region of Waterloo Public Health says the agency is actively monitoring the situation, including contact tracing. 

The second new case stems from a man in his 60s who returned from Iran on Feb 29.

Health officials say he presented himself to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre's emergency department in Toronto on March 3.

The man was also assessed and discharged home on the same day.

He  went into self-isolation where he remains with minimal contact with others.

Toronto Public Health says they are actively engaged in contact tracing and case management.

The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario is now 23. The overall Canadian total is 38.