News Release: Health Unit Reports First Death Due to COVID-19

NORTH BAY, ON – It is with great sadness that the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) reports the first death related to COVID-19 in the Health Unit’s district. The individual was a woman in her 50s who passed away in the last 24 hours. The Health Unit is working collaboratively with the hospitals involved and community stakeholders on contact tracing activities to identify and follow-up with close contacts. Out of respect for the family, no further information is being shared.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the individual’s family and friends and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” said Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. “This loss stresses the seriousness of the situation we are facing. We owe it to our loved ones, our friends, neighbours and the community as a whole to stay home as much as possible, physically distance when you need to go out for essentials, wear a facial covering when physical distancing is hard or unable to maintain while in public and follow public health measures.”

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care. If you need further assistance, call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and tell them your symptoms.

Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19 or visit myhealthunit.ca/covid-19.

-30-

Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca