February 12, 2020 COVID-19 report
Good Wednesday to all,
Canadians that arrived on Friday, Feb 7th, on the two flights from Wuhan have 9 days left out of their 14 days of quarantine at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton. The 158 persons who arrived yesterday, Feb 11th, on the third flight from Wuhan, have 13 days left of their 14 day quarantine at CFB in Trenton. So far all is good with everyone.
The Holland America Line cruise ship that was rejected from docking at five ports over fears of the coronavirus will be allowed to dock tomorrow, Thursday, in the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, where its passengers can finally disembark.
Please see here the situational report #19 dated Feb. 12, 2020, received this evening from the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
The virus has infected 44,653 cases and killed 1113 persons in China. Their authorities continue to restrict travel to contain the outbreak.
The number of confirmed cases reported to us today by the EOC, in Canada, is unchanged – seven; three persons in Ontario and four in BC. All are recovering at home in self-isolation. In Ontario, at this time, there are 9 persons under investigation with lab results pending. The young woman in London, Ontario (third confirmed case), has fully recovered, and her case is considered resolved.
The EOC continues to work hard at reviewing and issuing guidance materials based on the change to the case definition communicated to us last Friday (travel history has been expanded to mainland China), as well to the name change – now, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
See here an excellent Q&A from EOC regarding PPE. We urge all to uptake your stewardship role regarding judicious use of PPE according to the guidelines. We hear that supplies are disappearing and that is a risk to all, should we need them. Please remind colleagues that health professionals’ need for supplies, including N95 masks, are being attended according to risk assessment. Health care providers facing immediate supply needs regarding personal protective equipment can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.
We thank you for your emails of appreciation for these daily updates and are honoured this helps streamline factual and accessible information. We received no question since yesterday. A reminder to all to be up-to-date on EOC information: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/2019_guidance.aspx.
RNAO wants to continue to hear from you and your teams should you be experiencing any challenges – please send your emails directly to me at dgrinspun@rnao.ca. You can also access the health provider hotline and website regarding questions about the outbreak, protocols, preparedness, and more. The toll free number is 1-866-212-2272, and the health provider website, updated regularly with useful resources, can be accessed here. An important reminder that the health provider website and the toll free number are for you – as a health professional – and not for members of the general public.
The ministry’s public website on the Novel Coronavirus exists to inform the general public – encourage your family and friends to access this public website. We also have information for the public on our website at www.rnao.ca which we update daily. The WHO has provided an excellent link for you to share with members of the public here. To Canadians currently quarantined in the cruise ships, and in particular those who are confirmed cases: We know the stress you are undergoing and hope to have you all back home soon!
Many thanks to all our health professionals in Ontario – especially the ones working at CFB Trenton, to those working in the cruise ships, and the thousands of professionals dedicating their expertise to the people in China and other affected countries: We are with you and send positive vibes!
Doris Grinspun, RN,MSN, PhD, LLD(hon), Dr(hc), FAAN, O.ONT
Chief Executive Officer, RNAO