February 3, 2020 COVID-19 report

Dear RNAO member,

Our work continues. Here is situational report #10 dated Feb. 03, 2020 which we just received from the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) about the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

There are no new confirmed cases reported to us today by the EOC, in Canada or in Ontario. Thus, the number of confirmed cases in Ontario remains at three. One is a woman in London in her twenties, with mild symptoms, recovering at home in self-isolation; and a Toronto couple in their fifties who continue to recover at home in self-isolation. At this time, there are only 29 persons under investigation with lab results pending.

The only other Canadian case involves a man in B.C. who also is recovering at home, in self-isolation.

The province has acquired several months-worth of supplies, including N95 masks. These will be distributed according to risk assessment needs. RNAO wants 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 know about this public website.

RNAO wants to thank the federal and provincial governments for the tremendous collaborative effort involved in protecting the public and health professionals, and now for bringing back Canadians. Preparations are well underway to repatriate Canadian citizens from Wuhan, China, who are scheduled to arrive at CFB Trenton this week. Particular kudos go to the crew that will travel to China, including four nursing colleagues an two physicians, as well as those health providers who will be deployed at Trenton during the quarantine period. We are thinking of you and are proud of you!

Huge thanks to all,

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