NetNewsLedger Verified Facts
Toronto – Medical Officer Says City has Learned from 2009 SARS and Apply Lessons to Coronavirus
Ontario Confirms Second Presumptive Case
Statement from Federal Minister of Health Patty Hajdu
Coronavirus Update – January 26, 2020 – China Says 56 Dead
Coronavirus – Confirmed Case in Ontario
Ontario Creates Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Website
China Faces “Grave Situation” – President Xi
The death toll from Coronavirus in China has risen to 132 today. There are also new cases totaling 6,000 people. This is more individuals infected with coronavirus than there were cases infected during the SARS epidemic of 2002 and 2003.
Japan and the United States have begun to evacuate hundreds of their citizens from Wuhan City, the epicentre of the virus.
One of the impacts of the virus is on the economy. Today United Airlines announced that the company is suspending twenty-four flights between China and the United States in the first week of February. The Company states it is “due to a significant decline in demand for travel to China.”
Virus Vaccine Development
The development of an mRNA vaccine that can combat the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has been approved according to the Shanghai East Hospital of Tongji University. The vaccine will be co-developed by the hospital and Stermirna Therapeutics Co., Ltd.
Li Hangwen, the CEO of Stermirna Therapeutics, says, “No more than 40 days will be needed to manufacture the vaccine samples based on the new generation of mRNA technology and some preliminary procedures.
In the United States, health officials are fast-tracking work on a coronavirus vaccine. The goal is to start an early-stage trial within the next 90 days, according to officials in the Trump administration.
However, that timeline is optimistic, and a phase 1 trial does not mean “you have a vaccine that’s ready for deployment,” says Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services.
“It could take a year or more before a vaccine is ready for sale to the public”, adds Fauci.
Canada – New Case in British Columbia
In Canada there is another reported case of coronavirus. The latest case is in British Columbia. The first presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus has been reported in British Columbia, health.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control reports, “On January 28, health officials in British Columbia announced the province’s first confirmed case of novel coronavirus. Canada’s first case of novel cornavirus was confirmed in Ontario on January 25. At the current time, the risk to British Columbians and Canadians is considered low. BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and provincial and federal authorities are monitoring the situation closely.”
Ontario
Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities issued the following joint statement on the province’s ongoing response to the emerging issue of the 2019 novel coronavirus:
“The health and well-being of Ontarians, including our postsecondary students and faculty from Canada and abroad, is our number one priority. Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, and Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, are in regular contact with leaders in the education field informing them of the province’s extensive protocols to monitor, detect and contain any cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus. Most recently, Dr. Williams and Dr. Yaffe led briefings this week with leaders from Ontario’s colleges and universities to provide the most up-to-date information.
Ontario is working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada and local public health units to continue to actively monitor and respond to this emerging situation.
Existing protocols have been strengthened surrounding the identification and control of the 2019 novel coronavirus in Ontario. Everyone should take comfort in knowing that our skilled health care providers are bringing their considerable experience to effectively monitor and respond to any reported cases, including the two confirmed cases in Toronto.
To students who may be concerned about false information circulating online, the province has put in place new and trusted resources for you to stay informed, including a dedicated web page on the 2019 novel coronavirus.
We want to assure everyone that the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities are working in cooperation with our partners in both the health care and postsecondary sectors to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our college and university communities.”
To help educate Ontarians about the 2019 novel coronavirus, how they can protect themselves and what to do if they suspect they may be at risk, the province has launched a dedicated web page. There will also be regular updates provided to the media and key stakeholders to ensure the public is fully informed.
