A Norfolk County resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

The resident is experiencing mild symptoms and continues to self-isolate at home, said a release issued late Thursday by the Haldimand- Norfolk Health Unit..

The health unit has initiated its public-health management plan in relation to the case, which includes identifying those who may have had close contact with the person in question. Close contacts have also self-quarantined.

“In the context of the number of cases reported in the province, this first case is not unexpected,” Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Norfolk and Haldimand’s Medical Officer of Health, said in the release.

“The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit will continue to work with the counties as well as hospitals, community health centres and community physicians to formulate a response to COVID-19.”

The health unit did not provide other details about the Norfolk individual in question.

Earlier this week, Haldimand County confirmed a first responder employed by the municipality has also tested positive for the pathogen. Haldimand reported the employee does not reside in the county and that the presence of the virus was confirmed outside the municipality as well.

While some front-line government employees are refusing to work due to potential exposure to the virus and because of workload issues related to COVID-19, the Norfolk OPP issued assurances Friday that its officer have taken appropriate measures to continue discharging their responsibilities as usual.

“Members of the OPP have been properly trained to respond to high-risk incidents during this current health crisis,” Insp. Joe Varga, head of the Norfolk OPP, said in a news release.

“I can assure you our officers are equipped with personal protective equipment that enables them, when necessary, to respond to the myriad of calls for service that we regularly see in Norfolk County.

“As this health-care crisis continues to evolve, our policing personnel conduct regular screening measures during the course of their duties to identify potential risks of COVID-19.”

“Members of the public entering our Norfolk County OPP detachment (in Simcoe) will be asked a few questions specific to those symptoms identified by public health experts in order to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.”

COVID-19 is the name the World Health Organization has given a coronavirus that emerged in China late last year. The potentially-fatal pathogen has since spread around the world.

Ottawa has declared that all Canadians returning from abroad in recent days must self-quarantine for 14 days to ensure they don’t introduce the virus into the community.

As well, Norfolk County is enforcing a public-health order forbidding public gatherings of 10 or more individuals. All resident are asked to practise social distancing, which means maintaining a buffer of at least two metres from all other individuals. Norfolk also asks residents to stay home if possible and only venture out in the community for essential items.

“The OPP extends its appreciation to all health-care professionals, fellow first responders and our local municipal governments as we respond together to the current state-of-emergency declared in Norfolk County,” Varga says. “We understand the impacts of COVID-19 on our area businesses and citizens. And, while I trust everyone’s good judgement to exercise compliance, the OPP will apply discretion whether to launch any investigation or enforcement actions.”

COVID-19 causes a respiratory infection with severe, flu-like symptoms. These include fever, sore throat, fatigue, chest pain and difficulty breathing. More information about COVID-19 is available from the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at https://hnhu.org/ .