First COVID-19 cases arrive in area surrounding Akwesasne
By Andy Gardner
With global COVID-19 confirmed cases surpassing 160,000, the first confirmed cases have reached Akwesasne's surrounding area.
On Tuesday, March 17, Fort Drum officials announced a part-time employee on the base tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The person lives in the Albany area, according to a statement from the base's Public Affairs Office.
The person was on Fort Drum working at the Education Center most recently Wednesday through Friday, March 11 to 13, of last week. The person received word of the positive COVID 19 diagnosis today March 17, Fort Drum officials said.
Fort Drum Medical Command preventative medicine subject matter experts are investigating where this individual may have come into contact with people on Fort Drum and advise on the individuals or building owners that need to be informed. Individuals who came in contact with the infected part-time employee will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days, Fort Drum said.
In Cornwall, a nursing student at St. Lawrence College tested positive for the disease on Saturday, March 14.
The female student had returned from a trip to New York City and attended one class after coming home Tuesday, March 10, and then attended a group meeting with three people, the Cornwall Standard Freeholder reported.
Citing a press conference by Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Eastern Ontario Health Unit medical officer of health, the newspaper reported there is not likely to be a threat to the larger college community.
"Based on our assessment, beyond those (four) contacts there was no threat to the rest of the college (population). We don't believe the college was at risk because of a single positive case," the Standard Freeholder quoted the doctor as saying, adding that he also supported closing the campus, but not due to the one case.
In nearby Clinton County, a confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced on Monday, March 16.
"Clinton County is closely monitoring the spread of coronavirus and today has confirmed a case of COVID-19 in Clinton County. The individual is receiving appropriate medical care. Health Department staff are working to identify those who may have come in contact with this individual prior to testing and will notify any person who may be at risk to provide information and guidance," said a press release from the Clinton County Department of Public Health.
It contained no other details on the case.
According to the World Health Organization, there were 167,515 confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide and 6,606 deaths as of Tuesday, March 16.
Health officials say COVID-19 kills 1% to 3% of the people who contract it, so the actual number of worldwide cases is most likely significantly higher.
As of the same day, the United States had 1,678 confirmed cases and 41 deaths. In Canada, WHO reports 304 confirmed cases and one death.
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