One COVID-19 case can impact 40: Ottawa officials reveal how one mistake can quickly put dozens at risk

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As COVID-19 continues to spread, with Ontario being a core region of growth in cases across Canada, Ottawa Public Health is trying to explain the importance of limiting close contacts.

A visual created by the public health unit, based on a real-world contact tracing example, shows how quickly COVID-19 can spread if just one person goes to work or a family gathering without following public health measures.

“One person with COVID-19 went to work before developing symptoms,” the example reads. “Two days later, after mild symptoms had developed, they attended a family gathering and had a friend over.”

“Within two weeks this resulted in 15 individuals testing positive for COVID-19 and 40 individuals who were high risk contacts and needed to isolate.”

The visual also specifies that there was inconsistent mask use and physical distancing, and some coworkers ate lunch together. At the same time, there was no mask use or physical distancing at the family gathering, and four separate households shared a meal together.

“We're naturally more relaxed around people we're close to, but this cluster is a reminder that COVID doesn't care how well we know someone,” a tweet from Ottawa Public Health reads. “Whether around coworkers we've known for years, friends or family members, we must remain vigilant.”

There are currently 1,037 active COVID-19 cases in Ottawa, with 87 new cases reported in the past day.

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