Halton Issues Isolation Order for Residents Affected by COVID-19

By: Laura Steiner

The Region of Halton’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani is ordering all residents affected by COVID-19 to self-isolate for 14 days. The directive is effective as of 6pm tonight.

“COVID-19 is now present in Halton region, and therefore poses a risk to the health of the residents of Halton Region,” Meghani wrote. It applies to the following residents that:

• Are identified as a person diagnosed with COVID-19;
• Have the signs and symptoms of COVID-19,
• Have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting the results of their test;
• Otherwise have reasonable grounds to believe they now have one or more symptoms (even mild symptoms) of COVID-19, or have had such symptom(s) within the past 14 days;
• Are a close contact of a person identified in the first three categories
• or Are a parent, or person with responsibilities of a parent, of a person under 16 years of age identified in the first three categories who resides or is present in Halton Region.

“The number of cases, and deaths continues to rise in Halton region and Ontario,” Meghani said. Ontario reported 441 new cases as of today, and one third of these are from community transmission. It’s the highest total of new cases in the last 10 days. As of this morning Halton region reported a total of 611 new cases, an increase of 11 over yesterday. 76 have been designated as ‘probable’. Milton has a total of 150 new cases with 20 listed as probable. Common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• fever
• new or worsening cough
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• difficulty swallowing
• loss of sense of smell or taste
• nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• nasal congestion or runny nose (without other known cause, such as seasonal allergies)
• fatigue
• headache
• chills
• pink eye

Anyone who is unsure of what to do is advised to call 3-1-1 within Halton, or 1-866-442-5866 outside the area. Anyone with worsening symptoms is advised to call 911, and tell them of your diagnosis and answer screening questions. Residents are still being asked observe precautions

“The requirements specified in this order are necessary in order to decrease or eliminate the risk to health presented by this communicable disease,” Meghani wrote. Those who fail to comply with the order is considered an offence under section 101 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. A conviction could result in a fine of approximately $5,000/ day or part of a day depending on how long the offense continues. To read the order in full, visit the Region’s website

This come as the province begins to reopen. Retail outside of shopping malls opened on Tuesday with curbside pickup, and physical distancing practices in place. The Town Of Milton opened selected parks, and amenities beginning today.