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4 COVID-19 - The Government of Canada
COVID-19
The Government of
Canada
www.canada.ca
On March 11, 2020, the World Health
Organization (WHO) assessed COVID-19 as a
pandemic.
Canada has a strong history of pandemic
planning and is an international leader on this
front.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (along
with public health authorities at all levels of
government across the country) have been
working together to ensure that our
preparedness and response measures are
appropriate and adaptable, based on the latest
science and the evolving situation.
Globally, efforts have focused on taking
measures to contain the outbreak and prevent
further spread. • unstable employment or inflexible working
conditions History of COVID-19 in Canada
Aside from Canada, many other countries and • insecure, inadequate, or nonexistent housing
regions are reporting cases (listed below). An conditions December 2019:
official global travel advisory and pandemic • ongoing specialized medical care or needs
COVID-19 travel health notice are in effect: specific medical supplies • On December 31, the World Health
avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until • social or geographic isolation, like in remote Organization was alerted to several cases of
further notice. and isolated communities pneumonia in Wuhan, China. The virus did
• difficulty reading, speaking, understanding not match any other known virus.
Risk to Canadians or communicating
• ongoing supervision needs or support for January 2020:
COVID-19 is a serious health threat, and the maintaining independence
situation is evolving daily. The risk will vary • difficulty doing preventive activities, like • On January 7, China confirmed COVID-19.
between and within communities, but given the frequent hand washing and covering coughs
• On January 15, the Public Health Agency of
increasing number of cases in Canada, the risk and sneezes
Canada activates the Emergency Operation
to Canadians is considered high.
Centre to support Canada's response to
How Canada is monitoring COVID-19 COVID-19.
This does not mean that all Canadians will get
• On January 22, Canada implements
the disease. It means that there is already a The health and safety of all Canadians is our top screening requirements related to COVID-
significant impact on our health care system. If priority. 19 for travellers returning from China to
we do not flatten the epidemic curve now, the
major airports in Montréal, Toronto and
increase of COVID-19 cases could impact The Public Health Agency of Canada is working Vancouver.
health care resources available to Canadians. with provinces, territories and international • On January 25, Canada confirms its first
partners, including the World Health case of COVID-19 related to travel in
We continue to reassess the public health risk Organization, to actively monitor the situation. Wuhan, China.
based on the best available evidence as the Global efforts are focused on containment of the • On January 30, the World Health
situation evolves. outbreak and the prevention of further spread. Organization declares the outbreak of
COVID-19 a public health event of
Who is most at risk Canada's Chief Public Health Officer of Canada international concern.
is in close contact with provincial and territorial
While COVID-19 can make anyone sick, some Chief Medical Officers of Health to ensure that February 2020:
Canadians with specific health circumstances any cases of COVID-19 occurring in Canada
are at an increased risk of more severe continue to be rapidly identified and managed in • On February 20, Canada confirms its first
outcomes, including individuals: order to protect the health of Canadians. case related to travel outside mainland
China.
• aged 65 and over Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory is • On February 9, Canada expands COVID-19
• with compromised immune systems performing diagnostic testing for the virus that screening requirements for travellers
• with underlying medical conditions causes COVID-19. The laboratory is working in returning from affected areas to 10 airports
close collaboration with provincial and across 6 provinces.
In addition, social and economic circumstances territorial public health laboratories, which are
may also be a factor in identifying someone now able to test for COVID-19. A summary of (Continued on Page 5)
who is vulnerable to COVID-19. This includes people tested in Canada is available and updated
anyone who has: each week day at:
• economic barriers https://www.canada.ca/en/public-
• difficulty accessing transportation health/services/diseases/2019-novel-
• difficulty accessing medical care or health coronavirus-infection.html
advice
