Toronto: A new presumptive positive case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Toronto was yesterday confirmed by Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Ontario’s first three cases are all resolved, with each of those patients having two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart, said a provincial media statement.
On February 21, an adult woman arrived to Canada from China and presented at North York General Hospital’s emergency department at the advice of Telehealth Ontario with an intermittent cough that was improving, it said.
As per established infection, prevention and control protocols, the patient was cared for at North York General Hospital using all appropriate precautions including being isolated and was tested for Covid-19. Being mildly ill, the woman was discharged home and, per protocols, went into self-isolation, it added.
Toronto Public Health was notified and has been following up with the patient since. The Public Health Ontario Laboratory confirmed yesterday (February 23) that the laboratory testing for Covid-19 is presumptive positive, with the sample now having been sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for confirmation.
Low Risk Patient
Given the individual’s clinical assessment and history, there is a low risk that she was infectious. The individual followed all protocols and wore a mask throughout her travels back to Toronto and, since landing, the woman has had very limited exposure to other individuals. The province is coordinating with local public health units to ensure that passengers in close proximity to the woman on the plane are contacted and monitored.
“Because of all the proper protocols and procedures that are in place to contain this virus and exposure to others was limited, I want to assure the public that the risk to Ontarians remains low,” said Dr. Williams. “Protecting the health and well-being of individuals and families across the province remains our top priority and we continue to vigilantly monitor for and contain any and all new cases.”
Canadians repatriated from Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan
The plane chartered by the Government of Canada to repatriate Canadians who were on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, has arrived in Canada from Tokyo, Japan.
At 2:01 (EST) yesterday, 129 Canadians and accompanying family members travelling on the chartered plane arrived at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton. None of the passengers exhibited symptoms of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) upon arrival.
Upon landing, the returning passengers were screened at CFB Trenton by quarantine officers and then met by officers from the Canada Border Services Agency. They were then transported to the NAV Centre in Cornwall, Ontario where they will be subject to a 14 day quarantine period. They will undergo the same medical assessment and observation as those who were repatriated earlier this month from Wuhan, China,
Seven released from NAV Centre
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) has authorized the release of six Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) medical staff and one Government of Canada employee who accompanied the returning travellers on the third Canada-chartered flight from Japan to CFB Trenton to the NAV Centre in Cornwall, Ontario.
The CPHO took into account the fact that they followed appropriate infection prevention and control protocols (including the use of personal protective equipment), and that they did not have unprotected contact with passengers or persons at risk of having the novel coronavirus.