In addition the Bancroft Family Health Team confirms one of the five positive cases of COVID-19 reported by Hastings-Prince Edward Public Health is from a Bancroft resident.
“The person had travelled abroad and when they came back to Canada they immediately followed the self-quarantine protocol,” Executive Director of BFHT Sandra McGrath tells the MyBarrysbay.com newsroom. “They then developed symptoms and were tested and tested positive for COVID-19.” The testing was done at the North Hastings Hospital.
“They were not out in the community at all,” she says.
“We should assume there are other probable, unrelated cases in the community and it’s important everyone does their part with physical distancing to help stop the spread,” McGrath says.
As for testing, McGrath says that people with no symptoms who want to get tested should self-isolate and practice physical distancing. If you contract the virus it can take up to 14 days to have symptoms, during that time evidence shows that you may test negative,” she explains. “Some people that have COVID never show any symptoms.”
McGrath says there is also a worldwide shortage of the testing agent for COVID-19 and swabs. “The Ministry of Health has developed strict guidelines for testing, it is being prioritized for those patients that need it most,” she says. “Please stay home and treat your symptoms appropriately.”
She says to assume you have COVID-19 if you have mild symptoms.
If you have any questions, McGrath says to call the Bancroft Family Health Team’s office 613-
Written by Mathew Reisler