Since we received the EOC report, we have seen media updates about six new cases in BC. Currently Canada has 60 cases in total: 28 in Ontario, 3 in Quebec, 2 in Alberta and 27 in BC. Of great concern are two of the six new cases in BC, today, at a nursing home – Lynn Valley Care Centre.

Since we received the EOC report, media updates indicate two new cases in Alberta and one new case in Quebec – bringing the total in Canada to 66 (29 in Ontario, 4 in Quebec, 4 in Alberta and 27 in BC). We also have news that the Canadian Government will repatriate Canadians passengers aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship in the eastern seaboard of USA.

Sadly, COVID-19 claims a first death in BC. This was a man in his 80s who lived at a North Vancouver nursing home and had existing health problems prior to contracting the coronavirus.

RNAO’s daily communications for this second month of the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada: You are receiving summary updates on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday – inclusive of Ontario’s Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Situational Report, and World Health Organization (WHO) Situational Report.

The Public Health Agency of Canada today announced a positive case in a Canadian who was repatriated to Canada from the Grand Princess cruise ship. The case was identified during the initial screening and medical assessments conducted when the passengers arrived at the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ontario, where they will complete a 14-day quarantine

RNAO’s daily communications for this second month of the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada – now a pandemic. To see previous updates visit RNAO updates and resources on COVID-19 for members and other health professionals. Feel free to share any and all updates with other health professionals at home or abroad.

This is RNAO’s daily communication for Friday, March 13 – our second month of the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada – now a pandemic.

WHO Director-General acknowledged that even though COVID-19 has captured the world’s attention, there are still many other health issues people continue to face every single day. Babies are still being born. Essential surgery is continuing. People still need emergency care after road traffic crashes. People still need treatment for cancer, diabetes, HIV, malaria and many other diseases.

WHO Director-General calls on all countries to take a comprehensive approach: not testing alone, not contact tracing alone, not quarantine alone, not social distancing alone – one must do it all. He says any country that looks at the experience of other countries with large epidemics and thinks “that won’t happen to us” is making a deadly mistake.

As I said yesterday – and it’s worth repeating today: Without you we are nothing! You keep us updated and well informed of what’s happening in the COVID-19 battlefield. You are there – nurses, doctors, pharmacists, midwives, paramedics, clerks, and so many other health professionals in Ontario – serving the public selflessly and without reservation.