KAWARTHA LAKES-The province announced today that local health units, including the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit, will begin monitoring for novel coronavirus. They have also made the virus a designated reportable disease.
“I want Ontarians to know that their health and wellbeing is my top concern. While the risks posed by this new coronavirus to Ontarians remain low, the province is actively monitoring and is fully prepared to respond. To date, there have been no confirmed cases in Canada. said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
Officials in China are working to contain a deadly new strain of the virus that has infected almost 450 people and left almost 20 dead. Over the weekend, the number of cases of the “2019 novel coronavirus” quadrupled with the first confirmed case in the US announced Tuesday.
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that can cause illnesses as minor as a cold, or as serious as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), according to the World Health Organization. They often present with pneumonia-like symptoms.
With the addition of coronavirus as a designated disease reportable under Ontario’s public health legislation, physicians, hospitals and other care facilities will be required to report a suspected or confirmed case of the new coronavirus to their local medical officer of health. The local public health unit can then quickly and effectively take all necessary measures to investigate, complete lab tests and do case, and contact management to prevent and control further spread of the infection according to the Ministry. Ontario’s reporting requirements now align with British Columbia and Alberta.
Elliot says Ontario’s integrated health system is far more prepared to respond to any potential health risks than in the past.” We now have mechanisms in place, which have strengthened how health care providers work together and coordinate responses to emerging public health issues, such as this new virus.” Elliott explained.
She points to investments in our public health and infection prevention and control systems have been made, including the creation of Public Health Ontario.
“All Ontarians should take comfort in knowing that our skilled health care providers are bringing their considerable experience to effectively monitor and, should it be needed, respond to this emerging situation.”
The Ministry will work with Public Health Ontario, local public health units, hospitals and other health care providers to monitor this emerging situation to ensure that Ontario is prepared to identify, contain and treat any potential cases of this virus according to officials.
“Again, I want to reiterate our top priority will always remain safeguarding the health of the public, patients and providers. These changes announced today support this commitment to protecting Ontarians.” Elliott said.
