Canada is reporting its first confirmed case of the Coronavirus.
A Toronto man was diagnosed with the virus after a trip to Wuhan, China. With the virus close to home, the Nipissing Parry Sound District Health Unit says it has steps in place.
“Since we have been notified of the outbreak a few weeks ago, preparations have been put in place,” said Dr. Jim Chirico, the Chief Medical Officer of Health. “But not just since then, public health has been working since SARS to increase awareness and get prepared. There was a lot of learning from SARS and H1N1, all the outbreaks have contributed to making the system ready.”
“Locally, we have created awareness,” Dr. Chirico continued. “Awareness among the public, among public health and awareness among the acute care system. We are working with the acute care system to be prepared.”
According to Dr. Chirico, there are protocols in place over infections and how to control and prevent them. Area hospitals are required to have infection prevention and control committees to ensure they are meeting the standards.
“We have communicated information as it has become available,” he explained. “This is an evolving outbreak so the information can change daily, or hourly. We make our decisions based on the best available evidence at the time, so when we get updated information, we might need to change how we do things.”
“There are lots that we do know, but lots that we don’t know about this virus which determines how we can deal with it,” he continued. “We do know that there are a number of people that have become ill in China and the symptoms have ranged from very mild to very severe. In Canada we have two confirmed cases, we’re just waiting for one to be confirmed, but it likely will be, but they are doing well.”
With an outbreak such as this, Dr. Chirico believes there will be more confirmed cases that will pop up.
“The two biggest unknowns are how easily this virus spreads from person to person and how severe will people become ill,” he explained. “Those are two questions we don’t know just yet.”
Chirico adds there are some positives to be taken with how the medical field has responded to the outbreak.
“In a very short time, we have been able to develop a test to detect it. It takes 24 to 36 hours to get the results, but we are working on that to make it shorter,” Chirico said. “The other thing that we have in our favour is of the cases outside of China, which is approximately 37 of them, and that changes as it evolves, but no deaths have been reported.”
“We do know the disease can be spread from person to person,” Chirico added. “In Canada, there has not been a person to person spread, so your risk is dependent on exposure. If you haven’t travelled to Wuhan, your risk is extremely low presently. You’re more likely to be infected by the influenza virus than you are from the Coronavirus.”
If a person was to be suspected of contracting the virus, they would be subject to two questions. Have you travelled to Wuhan, or China in the last 14 days, and do you have symptoms?
“If they answer ‘yes’ to both of them, then that person is immediately isolated,” Chirico said. “We have prepared special rooms over the years. They’re isolated, personal protective equipment for the staff. Public health will become involved, and tests will be conducted.”
“Our responsibilities at the health unit will be to interview the patient,” Chirico explained. “We would find out where they travelled, how they travelled, who they travelled with and follow up with the contacts.”
As for preventative measures, Chirico says it’s as easy as trying to prevent the common cold.
“It’s important that you wash your hands with soap and warm water, and do it often,” Chirico said. “Use hand sanitizer, that is very effective. Cough into your arms, if you use a tissue throw it out. Above all else, if you are sick, stay at home.”