By Chad Ingram

As of the afternoon of Thursday March 19 there were three confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus within the jurisdiction of the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

Two cases both women in her their 60s who'd recently travelled to Europe were confirmed during the weekend in Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes respectively.

The third case also confirmed in Northumberland is a man in his 70s. The three individuals are in self-isolation according to the HKPR website.

While those who contract the coronavirus often experience mild symptoms there is increased risk for those aged 65 and over; those with compromised immune systems; those with underlying medical conditions; or those who've recently travelled abroad.

Anyone who's travelled outside Canada is asked to self-isolate for 14 days and this is especially important for those aged 16 or younger Ontario's chief medical officer of health has said.