Health officials confirm coronavirus remains low in Canada
Posted January 26, 2020 10:49 am.
Last Updated January 26, 2020 12:07 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (660 NEWS) – The federal health minister is stressing that the risk to Canadians from the coronavirus remains low, however, this first case was expected.
Dr. Theresa Tam, the Chief Public Officer of Health, says work is underway to contact airline staff and other passengers on the flight this man was on.
“In that plane contact tracing perspective, we are looking at a two-metre radius, so of course we will be looking at the plane and seating and where that patient was actually seated.”
WATCH: Dr. Tam updates Canadian coronavirus case
Tam says the patient did have symptoms on the flight and faced screening questions from border agents at Pearson Airport in Toronto, but was not flagged at that time. He did, however, follow all proper procedures on notification when he contacted health officials to seek medical help.
Health authorities are also looking to track down some passengers who were on the flight with the patient.
He’s being quarantined at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto, his family members are in self-isolation, and people he’s had contact with are being interviewed to see if they are showing symptoms.
Officials hope to get lab results confirming the case within the next 24 hours.
