Dr. Jessica Hopkins, the Region of Peel’s Medical Officer of Health is stepping down amidst the first confirmed case of COVID-19 (corona virus) in Mississauga. Details of the timing and reason for Dr. Hopkins decision were not provided at this time. Dr. Lawrence Loh will assume the role of Acting Medical Officer of Health.
Dr. Hopkins has been the face of Peel Region’s response to COVID-19 over the last two weeks as concern by residents mount. In a public video statement provided today in response to the first confirmed case of a resident with COVID-19, Dr. Hopkins said “the risk to the public remains low” and that “there is no evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in Peel Region.”
The individual confirmed with COVID-19 was aboard the Grand Princess Cruise Ship out of San Francisco from February 11-21 and returned to Canada on February 28.
“The individual was seen and assessed at Trillium Health Partners – Mississauga Hospital where all Infection Protection and Control (IPAC) protocol were followed. The individual is recovering at home and has been put on self-isolation,” said Dr. Dante Morra, Chief of Staff, Trillium Health Partners. “I would like to thank our front-line teams, Peel Public Health and Public Health Ontario for their timely and effective response in taking immediate precautions to ensure this patient is being safely and appropriately cared for and that patients, staff and the community are well protected.”
Read more on the Region of Peel’s corona virus webpage.
