HAMILTON—A doctor at Juravinski Cancer Centre who lives in Burlington has tested positive for coronavirus and health-care workers who came into contact with her are in self-isolation.

The 32-year-old cancer doctor returned from Hawaii on Saturday and went to work Monday at the cancer centre where she saw patients in Clinic A and interacted with staff.

She became symptomatic during the day Monday and went to Juravinski Hospital’s emergency department where she was tested for COVID-19.

At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Barry Lumb of Hamilton Health Sciences said the physician’s husband is also a doctor — a surgeon at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Meghani said he was not symptomatic.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton says the impact on St. Joe’s is “being investigated.”

“Proper infection control measures were taken and PPE (personal-protective equipment) was worn by staff and physicians who provided the care and testing,” states an email Wednesday from CEO Rob MacIsaac and chief operating officer Dr. Wes Stephen to all Hamilton Health Sciences staff.

The email obtained by The Spectator states HHS received confirmation of the positive test on Tuesday.

The doctor with COVID-19 came into direct contact with 14 patients on Monday. Five staff members were actively working in the clinic with her, along with three physicians. They are all in self-isolation, except for one physician, an oncologist, who is travelling. Public health officials are working on contacting that physician. A senior oncology resident was also working in the clinic and is in self-isolation.

“We are contacting those individuals who were also present in Clinic A during that time frame,” states the email.

HHS employees were asked Feb. 26 to report any international travel by Susan Fuciarelli, Director, Health, Safety and Wellness.

The email obtained by The Spectator states it’s to “help ensure that appropriate contact tracing can be done should it be necessary in relation to communicable diseases such as COVID.”

On its website HHS said, “The risk to people working in the clinic or who had contact with this physician is low. The risk to others working, receiving care, or visiting the Juravinski on March 9 is very low.”

Halton’s medical officer of health, Dr. Hamidah Meghani, said the risk to Burlington residents is also low.

“Halton Region Public Health is continuing to work with provincial and local health counterparts and with the resident to identify all known contacts who may have been potentially exposed to the virus to assess if there is a potential health risk,” Meghani said in a press release Wednesday.

Patients who had indirect exposure because they were in the clinic have been asked to self-monitor for symptoms such as a fever, coughing and nausea and report the onset of any illness to public health.

HHS said in the email to staff that it is “implementing a host of actions aimed at ensuring the safety of staff, physicians and patients.”

The physician’s office, clinic and other spaces at the cancer centre have been thoroughly cleaned.

“Since becoming aware of this situation, HHS has been working closely with Public Health to determine and implement the most appropriate response,” states the email.

She’s one of the five new cases Ontario reported Wednesday morning, and the 41st confirmed case in the province.

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Five of those 41 cases have been “resolved.” Resolved means the patient is no longer infectious based on two consecutive negative tests performed at a laboratory at least 24 hours apart.

The doctor is the first confirmed case in Halton and Hamilton.

“We encourage everyone to be supportive of one another during this difficult and potentially stressful time,” states the email to staff. “Finally, we want to assure you that we will do all we can to minimize the impact of this situation for all of you and for our patients.”

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Last week, HHS expanded its criteria for coronavirus testing to include any travel outside Canada.

“This incidence was detected very quickly and all proper processes were followed,” says Stephen in a statement. “When she began to show symptoms, infection control protocol was swiftly initiated and she was tested in a safe environment.”

Anyone with symptoms can call Halton Region Public Health at 905-825-6000 or 1-866-442-5866.