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People who attended the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference might be at risk of exposure to novel coronavirus.
Late March 10, Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed a man in his 50s who attended PDAC in Toronto has tested positive for COVID-19.
“Our recommendation right now is to consider attendance at this conference as potential exposure,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health.
The Sudbury health unit is advising those who attended PDAC to monitor themselves for 14 days. If anyone who attended the conference develops symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, they need to be assessed and most likely tested, Sutcliffe said.
The health unit is still investigating how the man may have contracted COVID-19 to better understand exactly what the risks are.
The man works out of the Willet Green Miller Centre, which is operated by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines on the campus of Laurentian University.
PDAC's International Convention was held in Toronto March 1 - 4 and attracted about 25,000 people from around the world. The conference is attended by many Timmins residents and featured more than 110 Northern Ontario businesses and organizations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford were among the dignitaries in attendance, as well as Timmins Mayor George Pirie.
According to Timmins CAO Dave Landers, the mayor "is following the direction of the public health agencies – namely, monitoring his health for fever, cough or difficulty breathing for the next 14 days. If those symptoms arise, public health is advising to self-isolate and contact a medical professional to make arrangements for testing."
Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was also there.
He addressed the confirmed northern case on Facebook.
"Fortunately at PDAC, hand sanitizers were everywhere and I saw them being widely used. Hopefully, this will cut down possible transmission rates," reads the post.
The Sudbury man who tested positive was a delegate at the major mining conference March 2 and 3.
He went to the emergency department at Health Sciences North on March 7 with a cough and shortness of breath.
In Timmins, the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) says there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19.
If you think you have COVID-19 sympotms, you can call Telehealth Ontario at 1-800-797-0000 or the Porcupine Health Unit at 705-267-1181 for medical advice.
"If you are ill and must visit a health care professional, call ahead and tell them that you have a respiratory illness. You may be asked to wear a mask while waiting for or receiving treatment to prevent the spread of illness. If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 and mention your travel history and symptoms," reads the health unit's post.
- with files from Sudbury.com
