Toronto: Another positive case of Covid-19 was announced yesterday by Dr. David Williams, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Ontario to 29.
A female in her 40s returned from Colorado on March 2 and presented herself to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s emergency department in Toronto. The patient was discharged home the same day where she remains in self-isolation.
GO bus riders
Metrolinx said it received information late yesterday from York Region Public Health about a woman passenger.
On Saturday, it was announced that a female in her 60s returned from Iran on March 2. She presented herself to Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital’s emergency department, in Richmond Hill. The patient was discharged home the same day where she remains in self-isolation.
“She sat in accessibility seating, not near any others & had minimal contact with our driver who has been notified & spoken to public health. The bus was relatively empty for trip & public health officials do not require passenger info as the risk is very low, they say,” it said in a tweet.
“The bus has already received the long-acting anti-microbial treatment & is thoroughly cleaned nightly. Our driver is well,” it added.
Previously, another symptomatic woman who had returned from Iran had taken a bus from Pearson airport to Richmond Hill.
Las Vegas returnee
Metrolinx said it is working closely with Toronto Public Health, after it was announced a 40-year-old man who recently travelled here from Las Vegas, and was diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus, took the route 27 GO bus between March 2 and March 4.
Public health officials say the man boarded the bus around 6 pm on each of those days, getting off the bus at Yorkdale GO, travelling from his workplace.
Metrolinx said it has identified the vehicles used on those days, and as a precaution they are being taken out of service and are being given an extra cleaning.
150 buses scrubbed
To date, more than 150 buses have been treated, with an additional 40 more being completed each day.
All UP Express trains were treated earlier this week and crews continue to apply the microbial agent to dozens of GO train coaches each night, the operator said.
The agent is proven to be effective at killing bacteria, mould, yeast and some viruses – with further lab testing underway now, Metrolinx said.
Canada evacuating citizens on board Grand Princess cruise ship
The Government of Canada has secured a plane to repatriate Canadians on board the Grand Princess off the west coast of the United States, following an outbreak of Covid-19 on the cruise ship.
This decision was made following a request for assistance from the Government of the United States to repatriate Canadians.
The extent and frequency of interaction among cruise passengers and the close quarters found on most cruise ships presents a unique environment where Covid-19 can easily spread. To ensure the health and safety of Canadians, passengers from the Grand Princess will be quarantined upon their return to Canada.
The plane will bring passengers from San Francisco to Canadian Forces Base Trenton, after which they will be assessed and undergo a 14-day quarantine, said a media statement from Global Affairs Canada.
Screening prior to boarding plane
Passengers will be screened for symptoms before boarding the plane. If they exhibit symptoms, they will not be permitted to board and will instead be further assessed to determine next steps.
“The decision to repatriate Canadians on board the Grand Princess follows a request for assistance from the Government of the United States, recognizing the importance of closely working together to limit the spread of Covid-19,” said François-Phillippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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