February 25, 2020 COVID-19 report

Good evening RNAO members,

As we shared yesterday, we have entered the second month of the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada and we at RNAO are planning for an extended period of focused, concerted and calm action on COVID-19. For this we have updated our communication’s plan. The Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Situation Reports will be shared with you each day of the week, and also the Situation Reports posted daily by WHO. In addition, you will receive on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, longer updates such as the one we sent out yesterday, inclusive of an RNAO policy corner and more detail.

Brief Update on Repatriated Canadians: The second cohort of Canadians and their family members, who arrived at CFB Trenton on Feb. 11, were released today from their 14 days of quarantine. We wish them all smooth and happy adjustments to normal life. Canadians from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, who arrived on Feb. 21 from Japan, are in Cornwall and have 10 days left of their quarantine period. So far all is well and we wish them an easy as possible time, filled with encouragement and good wishes. 

Attached here is situational report #31 from the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), received this evening. The number of confirmed cases in Canada reported by EOC is 11 , with four persons in Ontario and seven in British Columbia. Three Ontario cases have now been resolved after two negative tests, and the fourth case is in self-isolation after a brief stay at North York General Hospital. In Ontario, at this time, there are 21 persons under investigation with lab results pending. Also here are new fact sheets for caregivers in Chinese, as well as instructions of self isolation also in Chinese here.  

Situation Report 36 from the WHO updates that worldwide, there are 80,239 confirmed (908 new) cases of COVID-19 and 26666 deaths (71). Four new countries reported cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, and Oman.

All our best regards to each and all of you and keep up the fantastic work!

Doris Grinspun, RN,MSN, PhD, LLD(hon), Dr(hc), FAAN, O.ONT
Chief Executive Officer, RNAO