Peterborough city and county has its third case of COVID-19, involving a woman who had travelled to Florida, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) announced Thursday morning.

Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, the medical officer of health, had no more information about the woman (such as her age.)

But PPH has identified five people with whom this woman has been in close contact; Salvaterra said they are in isolation and will be tested for COVID-19 if they develop symptoms.

Although Salvaterra said she didn't know on Thursday whether the woman is a snowbird, she noted that the Canadian government has called all its citizens home.

"They need to self-isolate, once they return home," she said.

Meanwhile Peterborough Paramedics also announced Thursday began in-home testing on Wednesday in the city and county, but it's only for people who are showing the symptoms and have been exposed to the virus.

The idea is for people who may have coronavirus to stay in isolation at home and still get tested by paramedics, who arrive wearing personal protective equipment including a face shield, mask, gown and gloves.

Only people with a referral are getting the in-home testing by paramedics: the health unit, a family doctor or nurse practitioner can order the in-home test.

"This isn't a self-serve," Salvaterra said.

"Please don't call 911 for this," added Randy Mellow, chief of paramedics, at the press conference.

Paramedics started testing Wednesday, he said; by Thursday, they'd already tested 14 people.

It means there are now three places locally where people are being tested for COVID-19: at home, at the health unit and at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre's (PRHC) new assessment centre.

PRHC vice-president Brenda Weir said Thursday testing is taking place in the emergency department until a trailer is set up for it.

As of Thursday morning, PPH was reporting three confirmed cases of COVID-19, 76 confirmed negative tests and 61 under investigation.

Salvaterra said those who are getting tested have a referral from PPH or from their doctor and:

• Have travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days.

• Have had contact with someone who has COVID-19 or may have it.

• Have symptoms such as cough and fever.

For more information, call the PPH hotline at 705-743-1000 ext. 401 or the website at peterboroughpublichealth.ca

Meanwhile three more COVID-19 cases in Northumberland County and a second in the City of Kawartha Lakes was announced Thursday by the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

One was a man in his 70s who travelled to Europe , another was a woman in his 60s who had also travelled and the third was a man in his 60s who had also travelled.

The second City of Kawartha Lakes case is a woman in her 70s who had travelled.

All six confirmed cases in Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes remain in self-isolation.

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joelle.kovach

@peterboroughdaily.com