A fourth case of the 2019 novel coronavirus has been diagnosed in Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Public Health’s catchment area.

Spokesperson Suzzette Taggart confirmed that a 70-year-old woman who had recently returned from Portugal had been diagnosed. She has been hospitalized due to the severity of her symptoms.

According to the World Health Organization, Portugal currently has 642 cases of COVID-19.

The first three cases in Kingston and Napanee were announced by Dr. Kieran Moore, the local public health medical officer of health, on Monday. All of the cases had recently returned from travelling: a 48-year-old man who had recently returned from the United Kingdom, a 40-year-old woman who had travelled to Spain, and a 62-year-old who just got back from Barbados.

The woman is a Lennox and Addington County General Hospital staff member in Napanee.

“These are certainly stressful times for people and communities,” Moore said in a statement. “This stress, combined with fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 situation, can lead to social stigma toward people, place, or things.

“It is important to remember that we are all in this together. It is not the time for judging or shaming people that have travelled or anyone who becomes affected with this virus. We are all at risk. Everyone can stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the facts and sharing them with others in our community.”

He went on to encourage residents to continue social distancing and to self-isolate for 14 days after travelling outside the country. He noted that self-isolation means staying home completely — no grocery shopping or trips to the pharmacy. Those who need supplies are instructed to ask a friend or family member to go for them.

“Social distancing works, but like any medicine, it needs to be given in the proper dose and needs time to take effect,” Dr. Moore said.

“We know these measures are disruptive and force adjustments to our daily lives. For the safety of the community, I am asking every person, business and workplace to make every effort to practise social distancing and, if required, self-isolation.”

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