OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) — Canada’s top health officials are quelling concerns after the first presumed case of the new coronavirus was confirmed in Toronto on Saturday.
The country’s top health officials provided an update Sunday morning with Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tambo saying there is proof “our systems are working.”
The new viral illness is being watched with a wary eye around the globe, with over 13 countries now confirming cases. In China, where the virus originated, close to 3,000 people are sick, and 80 have died.
While the man in Toronto, who’s in his 50s, is presumed to have the virus, further testing is needed to confirm it officially. Lab results are expected in the next 24 hours to confirm the case.
“The health system is on alert to detect potential cases and to respond promptly when they are asked of them. It shows that our systems are working. I want to impress upon everyone, although we do now have a case in Canada, the risk to Canadians remains low,” Tambo told reporters.
“It will not be unexpected that there will be more cases imported into Canada in the near term.”
Health Minister @PattyHajdu says they expect laboratory confirmation of Canada’s first case of coronavirus is expected in the next 24 hours. Says authorities are working actively to prevent the spread of the virus. #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) January 26, 2020
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said authorities are working actively to prevent the spread of the virus.
The man who’s presumed to have the first case of the virus recently travelled to Toronto from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the virus.
Dr Tam says they are tracking down passengers who were seated in a 2 metre radius of the patient, as well as airline staff who had contact. Says the Public Health Agency will be calling passengers they wish to monitor #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) January 26, 2020
He’s being quarantined at Sunnybrook Hospital, and his family members are in “self-isolation.” People he’s had contact with are being interviewed to see if they are showing symptoms.
During the conference, Tambo told reporters the man showed mild symptoms on his flight from China and added that officials are trying to track down other passengers.
-With files from The Canadian Press