MARATHON, Ont. — A person in Marathon has tested positive for COVID-19, the first reported case in the north shore town.
Dr. Eli Orrantia of the Marathon Family Health Team made the disclosure in a statement Tuesday.
He said the individual is self-isolating at home and has mild symptoms of the virus.
Dr. Orrantia said staff from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit are tracing close contacts, and these people are self-isolating as well.
He sought to reassure residents that the family health team and Wilson Memorial Hospital – where he and other local doctors also work – are prepared and ready "to deal with the reality of COVID in our community."
Orrantia said it's now more important than ever for everyone to take precautions including social-distancing, frequent handwashing, and wearing masks.
"Let's not make a hard time harder. We need to remain respectful and kind with each other," he added.
The TBDHU itself does not publicly identify specific communities where COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed.
It reported 14 new cases in its jurisdiction Tuesday.
All but one of the cases is listed as being in the city or surrounding townships.
The single case listed as being in a "district" is also one of only two cases where the individuals had no known source of exposure to the virus.
