Ottawa Public Health says a man in his 90s is the first person in the city to die from COVID-19 since the coronavirus outbreak began.

According to a statement issued Wednesday evening, staff said the man lived at home and didn’t have a recent travel history.

The statement said the man developed a fever on March 15. On Friday, the man was seen at the Ottawa Hospital emergency room and later admitted. He died on Wednesday.

“Today is a very sad day for us and especially the family and loved ones of the man who passed away. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual who died today,” Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa’s medical officer of health, said in a statement Wednesday evening.

Etches, along with Mayor Jim Watson, encouraged residents to practice physical distancing and do what they can to minimize potentially being exposed to COVID-19.

I’m asking everyone again to make every effort and take every opportunity to practice physical (social distancing). Please stay home, stay safe and take care of each other,” Etches said.

“I encourage residents to continue to wash their hands regularly, to respect social distancing guidelines, limit trips outside the house to essential ones, and to check in virtually on family, friends and neighbours. We must all do our part to help save lives in our community,” Watson wrote.

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As of Wednesday morning, there were 43 confirmed or indeterminate cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa.

Meanwhile, the Ontario government said as of Wednesday evening there were 667 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. In total, 13 Ontario residents have died and eight cases have been resolved.

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