A person who travelled to Las Vegas for an international conference has tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of infections in Ontario to 24.

According to an internal email sent to staff in the University Health Network, the person went to the Emergency Department at Toronto Western Hospital Wednesday with respiratory symptoms.

“All protocols were followed and the patient was assessed and sent home to self-isolate,” said the email, from Gillian Howard, the vice-president of public affairs and communications at the University Health Network.

“The patient is now at home and being monitored by Toronto Public Health,” she continued.

“We are continually reviewing our processes to ensure that we are current with the situation as it changes.”

It’s the fourth new case in Ontario confirmed Thursday, as cases start to show up in people who have travelled from affected areas other than China and Iran.

One of the other new cases is a woman in her 50s from Waterloo Region who had recently returned from Italy, where infections in the northern region are mounting. Another is a man who had been in Iran.

And a Mississauga resident who was on a Grand Princess cruise ship that travelled from San Francisco to Mexico between Feb. 11 and Feb. 21, tested positive, and is Peel Region’s first case.

The cruise ship is sitting off the coast of San Francisco while passengers get tested. There are 235 Canadians on the ship’s manifest, according to Global Affairs.

New cases are also popping up across Canada. Eight were reported in British Columbia Thursday evening, including the first instance of community transmission in that province. One more case was reported in Quebec and the first presumed case was announced in Alberta.

There have been no deaths in Canada of COVID-19.

Some 3,500 Canadians die each year of the flu.

With files from Rob Ferguson