The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported today that Huntsville has had an eighth case of COVID-19, a woman in her 70s. Her infection was community-acquired, meaning that the “most likely acquisition of illness is from somewhere within the community. This excludes transmission due to travel and due to close contact with a known case,” according the the health unit’s website.
It’s the first case in Huntsville in more than a month. Cases reported in the municipality to date, by the date they were reported by the health unit, are:
- March 24, 2020, a male in his 20s, travel-acquired (recovered)
- March 27, 2020, a female in her 60s, travel-acquired (recovered)
- March 27, 2020, a male in his 60s, travel-acquired (recovered)
- April 1, 2020, a female in her 50s, close contact of another case (recovered)
- April 20, 2020, a male in his 70s, close contact of another case (recovered)
- April 27, 2020, a female in her 40s, travel-acquired (recovered)
- May 5, 2020, a female in her 90s, close contact of another case (recovered)
- June 8, 2020, a female in her 70s, community-acquired
This latest Huntsville case brings the total of reported cases in Muskoka to 20.
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Really appreciate the regular updates by the Doppler regarding cases in Huntsville. Would it be possible for you to do some investigative reporting and be able to provide some additional information regarding this 8th case? i.e. When were they diagnosed? How long do we estimate that they had it? Where if in public were they frequenting? There’s really not much that we can do, other than to become concerned, when we read of new cases without any additional information. Thanks.
Hi Karen,
Note that Dr. Van Kerkhove has since backtracked on her statement (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/09/who-expert-backtracks-after-saying-asymptomatic-transmission-very-rare).
Here are two recent sources re: asymptomatic transmission (the first two links are related):
https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2020/20200609-oran-asymptomatic-infection.html
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-3012
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.10.20097543v2 (this article is a preprint and hasn’t been peer-reviewed)
And we’ve talked about masks previously. You’ll find a link to an article there (also a preprint): https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/covid-19-qa-with-dr-roy-kirkpatrick-wearing-masks/
Tracking is very important and should NOT be ignored in this case. Or else, the transmission will continue by the source to other unsuspecting persons. That is how the whole virus began spreading in the USA when Trump said there was ONLY one case in WA last January.
Brian is correct in saying that there is obviously someone in the community affected and would possibly infect more …..
Those responsible for tracking should realize that they could be responsible for an epidemic here in Huntsville.
Please cite references/evidence to info provided as it pertains to asymptomatic, & shedding? About the former, the top infectious disease WHO Director, this week stated there are “no asymptomatic transmissions”, and another WHO official backtracked to say if it is so, “very rare”. In this case, Huntsville would be “very rare” indeed? As far as shedding, it was also WHO who recommended if sick, stay home & to wear a mask in public to protect others. Like to know where/when/what evidence/studies suggest all must wear masks, at all times, vs only in circumstances of unavoidable close/confined contact environments? An example study of the risk wearing masks was done by Taiwan after the SARS outbreak, (University of Taiwan). Healthcare workers were examined on the effects of wearing masks & some results included, impaired decision making & toxins normally exhaled being re inhaled to name just 2 findings. Part of the occupational risks that come with these types of jobs.
Her infection was community-acquired, meaning that the “most likely acquisition of illness is from somewhere within the community.
What is being said is we have an active case right in the community and possibly the person is unaware
they have the virus and are spreading it?
It’s going to be an interesting summer. Stay safe everyone!
Perhaps it would be useful to know how Muskoka’s Covid19 tracking system works for such covert symptom transmission.
Well said, Brian.
Hi Brian,
It is possible to have COVID-19 and have no symptoms, and people can also be infectious for several days before developing symptoms. So yes, there could be many people out in the community unaware they they are infected and are shedding the virus. That’s why it’s important for everyone to continue to follow recommendations: avoid areas where there are many people as much as possible, keep two-metres distance as much as possible and wear a mask when it’s not, don’t touch your face, wash your hands frequently, monitor for symptoms, and seek assessment if you develop even one symptom.
Just to try to understand what is being said here…
So if all known cases are isolated/quarantined etc. then for this latest woman to get the virus there must be an unknown covid shedding person either in or recently traveled through the area and this new case must have crossed paths very closely with that unknown person?
Would this be what they are saying?
Would this mean that there is an “unknown” covid shedding case roaming around the area right now?
Enlighten me here? Am I right?