The number of confirmed cases in Canada reported by EOC is 13, with six persons in Ontario and seven in British Columbia. In Ontario, at this time, there are 21 persons under investigation with lab results pending.

In his media report today, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus lists ten basic things we should know about the virus and how to diminish the risk of transmission.

As reported yesterday, WHO has increased the assessment of the risk of spread and risk of impact of COVID-19 at the global level. The continued increase in the number of cases, and the number of affected countries over the last few days, are clearly of concern.

Brief Update on Repatriated Canadians: Canadians from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, who arrived on Feb. 21 from Japan, are in Cornwall and have 4 days left of their quarantine period. To date, there are no COVID-19 positive cases among the repatriated Canadians from Wuhan who were quarantined at CFB Trenton or who are currently in quarantine at the NAV Centre.

The number of confirmed cases in Canada reported by EOC this evening is 27, with 18 persons in Ontario, eight in British Columbia, and one in Quebec. For details on the four new cases in Ontario check here. In Ontario, at this time, there are 12 persons under investigation with lab results pending.

Minister of Health Christine Elliott announced yesterday it is implementing enhanced measures to safeguard the public from COVID-19. There will be an enhanced response structure that formally brings together a wide range of partners to review, strengthen and implement provincial and regional plans and ensure their responsiveness to the specifics of COVID-19.

Brief Update on Repatriated Canadians: Canadians from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, who arrived on Feb. 21 from Japan, are in Cornwall and have 1 day left of their quarantine period. To date, there are no COVID-19 positive cases among the repatriated Canadians from Wuhan who were quarantined at CFB Trenton or who are currently in quarantine at the NAV Centre.

Colleagues, as many of you have written to us, we need to move faster and be ahead of the curve for the eventuality of a COVID-19 Pandemic, and RNAO has committed to keeping you fully abreast of developments. The enhanced response structure announced earlier this week by Minister Elliott to safeguard the public from COVID-19 brings together a wide range of partners to review, strengthen and implement provincial and regional plans and ensure their responsiveness to the specifics of COVID-19.

Brief Update on Repatriated Canadians: Canadians from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, who arrived on Feb. 21 from Japan and are in Cornwall were released today of their quarantine period. We wish them a safe return home as they adjust to their normal lives.

RNAO launched on Friday a fourth survey for RNs, NPs and nursing graduates urging them to register for work in nursing homes that are on an active outbreak. This will fasten even more the matching of nursing staff to homes in dire need. Yesterday we responded, within hours, to the staffing needs of 18 additional organizations.