Recent confirmed COVID-19 cases in the northeast linked to travel to Florida

Public health agencies across northeastern Ontario continue to report confirmed cases of COVID-19, many of them linked with recent travel history.

As of Sunday at 7 p.m. there are now a total of 30 positive cases of the novel coronavirus across the northeast, 15 of those were reported over the weekend.

At least four of the latest cases are connected to Florida, according to information from health units in Sudbury, Algoma and North Bay - Parry Sound.

The seventh confirmed case of COVID-19 for Public Health Sudbury and District (PHSD) involves a man in his 50s who traveled two weeks ago from Florida.

PHSD says the man traveled from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to Hamilton, Ont., on Mar 16 on Swoop flight W0719. Passengers in rows 19-23 and flight crew who may have served these rows, are now considered close contacts.

The man was tested Mar 21 and is now self-isolating at home.

This latest case brings to seven the total of positive COVID-19 cases for PHSD. All are within Greater Sudbury. On its website PHSD states there have been no cases outside of Sudbury.

Australian cruise, international flights

Late Sunday evening, two more cases were reported by PHSD, also connected to international travel.

The health unit says a man and woman, both in their 50s were tested Mar 23, with positive results.

The couple had been on a cruise ship in Australia. They flew from Sydney, Australia to San Francisco, Calif., on Mar 19 on Quantas Airline flight QF73. Passengers in rows 40-44 and flight crew that may have served these rows are considered close contact.

The couple also flew Air Canada flight AC742 on Mar 19 from San Francisco to Toronto. Passengers in rows 17-21 and flight crew that may have served these rows are considered close contacts.

According to the health unit both are self-isolating at home.

These cases are listed in PHSD's Manitoulin district, which would be the first COVID-19 cases for that area.

Public Health Sudbury and District now have a total of nine positive cases.

On Sunday, Algoma Public Health (APH) reported two more cases, although only one is connected to travel history.

The third Algoma resident to test positive for the novel coronavirus is a man in his 60s, who traveled to a health care facility in Toronto more than a month ago. He remains there admitted under the care of health professionals. 

The health unit says there are no exposures within Algoma related to this case.

The fourth case of COVID-19 for APH is a woman in her 60s. APH says the woman developed symptoms on Mar 23, and returned to Algoma from Florida via a private vehicle on Mar 25.

The individual was tested at Sault Area Hospital's assessment centre on Mar 26. She has remained in self-isolation at home, with no public exposures. The health unit says all her close contacts have been identified and notified.

On Sunday afternoon, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit updated its website to include two more COVID-19 cases. 

A man and woman in their 60s tested positive for the virus after recent travels to Florida. They are both self isolating at home.

This brings its total number of cases to five.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has compiled information on COVID-19 exposures on flights, cruise ships and mass gatherings. 

It is asking anyone who recently travelled or attended a public gathering where cases were confirmed to check the listings.

The information is gathered through reports from international, provincial and territorial health authorities and public websites.