RENFREW COUNTY – The Renfrew County District Health Unit (RCDHU) confirmed the first laboratory-proven case of novel coronavirus yesterday (March 25).

While not identified, the individual is a woman in her 90s, a resident of a Pembroke-area retirement home win no recent travel history.

She was tested by the Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH) on March 23 and is now an inpatient there.

“We know the confirmed case represents only a fraction of disease activity in the community,” RCDHU acting medical officer of health Dr. Robert Cushman released in a statement yesterday. “For every one confirmed case there are probably 10 cases out in the community and quite possibly 100. The message is clear. COVID-19 is in eastern Ontario and in Renfrew County.”

The PRH said all necessary precautions were followed to ensure the safety of the patient, the public and the healthcare workers. The victim is currently in isolation.