February 5, 2020 COVID-19 report

Dear RNAO member,

Good Wednesday everyone!

Here is our daily update for you. It includes here the situational report #12 dated Feb. 05, 2020, which we received this evening from the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) about the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The number of confirmed cases reported to us today by the EOC, in Canada, is 5; three of these in Ontario and two in BC.  All are recovering at home in self-isolation. At this time, there are 43 persons under investigation with lab results pending.

As we shared yesterday supplies, including N95 masks, are being distributed according to risk assessment needs. We ask that they be used judiciously. Health care providers (in particular acute care settings and paramedic services) facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.

The plans for the repatriation of Canadian citizens from Wuhan, China, who are scheduled to arrive at CFB Trenton this week, continue. They will be immediately quarantined and, thus, as per our Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, they will not impose any risk to the general population.

Public health officials are working closely with the health professionals that will be on the flight (four nurses and two physicians), as well as those deployed to CFB Trenton. They are also coordinating with hospitals in the region, as if there is a need, persons will be transferred to one depending on their medical condition.   

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 know about this public website. We also have information for the public on our website at www.rnao.ca which we update daily.

Thanks to all for your outstanding work!

Have a great rest of the evening,

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