Pefferlaw couple tests positive for COVID-19 as cases climb to seven in Georgina

By: Mike Anderson

A Pefferlaw couple in their 40s are in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.

Peter Jimmerskog says you’re never really prepared for 14 days at home, but, so far, he and his wife Cathy are doing better than expected after receiving the upsetting news that they were infected.

Mr Jimmerskog says he contracted the virus from his wife, who works as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) support worker at a group home that recently experienced an outbreak, and started experiencing mild symptoms late last week.  

As public health officials are still investigating the cause of the outbreak, he can’t release the name or location of the group home. 

Cathy Jimmerskog was tested at Southlake’s Assessment Centre last Wednesday, April 8, and received her positive result from the hospital on the morning of Good Friday, April 10. 

Mr. Jimmerskog was tested that same Friday morning and was able to view his results online late Saturday evening.

He says the assessment process at Southlake didn’t take long, and while the healthcare workers kept their distance, they were polite.

“They have a whole set-up to keep you in your vehicle. They do the swab, which is horrible by the way, then you get some info on COVID-19 and are told to quarantine for four days until results come back. Then you’re on your way,” he says.

Mr. Jimmerskog says Cathy is doing as well as expected, but experiencing nagging headaches.  At times, he’s also been bed ridden with a bad headache, but says, so far, the couple’s symptoms haven’t been too severe.  

According to Mr. Jimmerskog, what was surprising was how mild the initial symptoms seemed. He says they felt more like a sinus problem or seasonal allergy. But the headache was the “one odd thing that was non stop.”

So far, they’re not eating a lot, as they don’t have much of an appetite. But, they’re drinking lots of water and hot drinks, like tea and coffee, he says.

And, If they need anything, they have a bunch of close friends and neighbours who are checking up on them daily.

Mr. Jimmerskog also says he’s been touched by all the personal messages of support he’s received from the community, including a message from Mayor Margaret Quirk.

“There has been an amazing bunch of local people checking in and offering to help,” he says.

While public health investigators have asked the couple to notify any of their close contacts — which is defined as closer than two metres for more than ten minutes –  Mr. Jimmerskog says he and his wife were practicing social distancing for weeks before they experienced symptoms.

And, according to Mr. Jimmerskog, after experiencing symptoms, they haven’t been out of the house. 

As of April 13, 5 p.m., York Region Public Health reports seven confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Georgina on the York Region website, with six active cases and one case resolved. 

All the infections are listed as “local transmissions, close contact and under investigation,” with no cases resulting from “institutional outbreaks” or  “travel.”

There have been 16 confirmed institutional outbreaks in York Region, including 11 long-term care homes, and 5 community care facilities. So far, 51 healthcare workers have tested positive for COVID-19.