The equation is simple: increased testing for COVID-19 equals more positive cases.
Referring to updated local COVID-19 data during her weekly media briefing held on Wednesday (April 29), Peterborough medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra notes there has been increase of 27 positive cases over the past week, bringing the total for Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake, and Hiawatha to 86.
That jump, she adds, is directly related to a huge increase in testing over the same period — an increase of close to 2,000 tests to bring the total to 3,713 tests conducted in total.
“Screening questions for COVID have now been changed,” says Dr. Salvaterra. “In addition to fever, cough, and shortness of breath, people are being asked if they have two or more of the following symptoms: sore throat, a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, loss of sense of smell, chills, headaches, unexplained fatigue, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or nausea and vomiting.”
“If someone is over the age of 65, they’re asked if they’re experiencing one of the following: a new delirium, falls, acute dysfunctional decline or worsening of their chronic condition. Many of our new cases were found because of the increase criteria.”
Dr. Salvaterra also spoke briefly to the region’s second reported COVID-19 related death, noting the resident of St. Joseph’s at Fleming had been in palliative care since January and died Saturday, April 18th with COVID-19 listed as “a contributing cause.” She couldn’t confirm the resident’s age or gender.
Looking ahead, Dr. Salvaterra expects testing to ramp up even more.
“Unless we aggressively look for the virus, we won’t find the very mild cases that might still be out there and capable of transmitting to people who are more vulnerable. The earlier we find them, the earlier we can ensure that they’re isolated and the sooner we can identify their contacts and try to contain the spread.”
As of Wednesday (April 29), besides the 86 positive cases found, 2,798 tests have come back negative with results awaited on 829 tests. A total of 42 cases have been resolved.
Gender wise, COVID-19 has afflicted more females (59 per cent) than males (41 per cent) — which is four per cent higher than the average in Canada of 55 per cent females and 45 per cent males.
As for the source of COVID-19 exposure, half of those who have tested positive had contact with a known case.
There are declared outbreaks at St. Joseph’s at Fleming, Empress Gardens, Extendicare Lakefield, Peterborough Retirement Resident, and St. John’s Senior Centre. All are “well controlled,” says Dr. Salvaterra.
A resident of Hospice Peterborough recently tested positive for COVID-19, but Peterborough Public Health has not declared an outbreak at that facility.
Meanwhile, in partnership with Peterborough County, Peterborough Public Health is launching a public service announcement video featuring County Warden J. Murray Jones and Dr. Salvaterra on its social media platform aimed specifically at cottagers, urging them to not visit their cottages.
Also participating in Wednesday’s media briefing were Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and Selwyn mayor and Peterborough Public Health chair Andy Mitchell. Each praised front-line health care staff and other essential workers for their efforts.
Peterborough Public Health COVID-19 Weekly Situational Report – April 29, 2020
COVID19-Weekly-Situational-Report-April-29-2020
