British Columbia Government responds to Ontario notice of suspected case of Wuhan coronavirus

The first suspected case of the Wuhan Coronavirus has been reported in Canada with Ontario officials this afternoon outlining the details of a Toronto resident who recently travelled from China to Canada, subsequently falling ill on January 23rd.

The alert from Ontario has given cause for the British Columbia government and Provincial Health Officer to outline the latest notes from this province as the list of suspected cases outside of the Chinese borders continues to grow.

In a statement released this afternoon, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, made note of the Ontario development and outlined that the risk for residents in British Columbia is still considered low.

“To date, there have been no cases of illness caused by the novel coronavirus in British Columbia and the overall risk to B.C. is still considered low.

We know our colleagues in Ontario will continue to work with their local health officials and the federal health authorities to ensure every measure is taken to prevent the spread of this virus.

We are closely watching the situation in Canada and globally, and are meeting regularly with our counterparts across the country to make sure we are prepared if cases arise in B.C."

The outline from the British Columbia officials relays some of the steps that the province is taking related to the outbreak from overseas. As well as to offer some guidance for those that may believe that they are at risk or have been in contact with the coronavirus.

“Anyone who is concerned they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, particularly if you have travelled to areas of China where the virus is active or been in contact with ill people from that area, should contact their health-care provider, local public health office or call 811.”

The full statement from Mr. Dix and Doctor Henry can be reviewed here.

The outbreak in China has resulted in a number of lockdowns on some of the largest cities in that country, as well as moves to try to build up health resources for health workers in that nation.

So far, the Chinese government has relayed information that states that 54 residents have died as a result of the virus, with an additional 1,700 plus patients infected.

The global spread for the virus has so far found less than 35 cases in total reported in a number Asian countries, as well as France, Australia, United States and now Canada.

No deaths have been reported so far from those cases.

You can keep up with some of the international developments from  our political blog D'Arcy McGee which has been tracking some of the international stories related to the coronavirus.

In British Columbia, residents can find out more information on the virus as well as on any changes to the situation in this province from the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Should there be any need for information for Northwest residents, those details will be relayed through Northern Health.

Northern Health website
Northern Health Facebook page

For more notes on Health in the region see our archive page here.

For up to date notes on the Canadian and British Columbia response to the virus see our archive page here.

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