EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story erroneously identified the airline as Southern China Airline. The airline is, in fact, called China Southern Airlines.
Canada‘s federal government says the first reported presumptive case of coronavirus in Toronto was “not unexpected” and that additional cases could occur in the near future.
However, at a press conference Sunday morning, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said that despite the presumptive case, the risk to Canadians remains low.
She said person-to-person spread has been reported in close contact only.
“Any imported cases we will be rapidly preventing any further spread from that case,” she said.
Canadians should take regular precautions to protect themselves against respiratory illnesses, she added.
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0:40 Coronavirus outbreak: spread of virus to Canada ‘not unexpected’
Coronavirus outbreak: spread of virus to Canada ‘not unexpected’
A day earlier, Ontario Health officials announced that a man in his 50s had been diagnosed with a “presumptive” case of the new coronavirus in Toronto.
According to officials, the man had recently travelled to Wuhan, China, which is believed to be the epicentre of the virus’ outbreak.
Officials are now awaiting testing from Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory to confirm the man’s case.
0:37 Coronavirus outbreak: Canadian Health minister says government working ‘rapidly’ to limit spread of virus
Coronavirus outbreak: Canadian Health minister says government working ‘rapidly’ to limit spread of virus
According to Tam, the man reported to local health officials that he was experiencing flu-like symptoms while on the plane.
She said the man was on board China Southern Airlines Flight CZ311 from Guangzhou to Toronto and that plane contact-tracing is now underway.
“I think the right approach out of all precautions is to inform passengers that were in close proximity of that patient,” she said.
She said officials will now be working “very rapidly” to do so.
Tam said the man has been managed with all the “appropriate protocols” by health-care professionals.
He is now being treated at Toronto’s Sunnybrook hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
According to Tam, the country’s health system is “on alert” and has been working collaboratively with both its provincial and international partners.
She said there is a “significant and unprecedented effort” underway to contain the virus and reminded travellers to always take precautions against respiratory viruses while travelling.
Canada’s health minister, Patty Hajdu, echoed Tam’s remarks, saying Canada has had more than 17 years since the outbreak of coronavirus strain SARS, which has allowed Canada to develop a “collaborative” and “responsive” system to handle the outbreak.
1:00 Coronavirus outbreak: First Canadian coronavirus patient allegedly didn’t report symptoms upon arrival from China
Coronavirus outbreak: First Canadian coronavirus patient allegedly didn’t report symptoms upon arrival from China
The virus, a new strain of coronavirus, has created alarm, though, because much about it is still unknown, including how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people.
It can cause pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases.
By Sunday morning, Chinese officials confirmed 56 people had died as a result of the virus and a total of 1,975 infections were reported.
Outside of China, Thailand has reported eight infection cases; Taiwan, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia have each reported four; the United States, France and Japan have each reported three cases; Vietnam and South Korea have two apiece and Canada and Nepal have each reported one case of the virus.
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No deaths related to coronavirus have been reported outside of China.
5:38 Unpacking the potentially deadly coronavirus and possible protections
Unpacking the potentially deadly coronavirus and possible protections
In late 2002, a different coronavirus strain named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) erupted in southern China, causing a severe pneumonia that rapidly spread to other countries. SARS infected more than 8,000 people and killed 774, including 44 Canadians.
Toronto was hard hit by the outbreak.
1:51 Canadian woman among the millions trapped in Wuhan, China
Canadian woman among the millions trapped in Wuhan, China
On Sunday, China’s health minister said the country was entering a “crucial state,” saying it seemed like the “ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger.”
“According to recent clinical information, the virus’ ability to spread seems to be getting somewhat stronger,” Ma Xiaowei told reporters.
Chinese officials say the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact.
Ma told reporters that the incubation period for the virus can range up to 14 days, during which infection can occur.
1:37 Coronavirus outbreak: Passengers in 2-metre radius from Canadian coronavirus patient, fellow travellers to be contacted by Canadian health agency
Coronavirus outbreak: Passengers in 2-metre radius from Canadian coronavirus patient, fellow travellers to be contacted by Canadian health agency
Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
On Saturday, China’s President Xi Jinping called the situation “grave” and said the government was stepping up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings while rushing medical staff and supplies to the city at the centre of the crisis, Wuhan, which remains on lockdown with no flights, trains or buses in or out.
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It is now believed the previously unknown strain of coronavirus emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in the city.
As a result, Chinese officials have imposed a temporary ban on the trade of wildlife nationwide in markets, supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms.
The U.S. Consulate announced on Sunday it would be evacuating personnel and some private citizens from Wuhan aboard a charter flight on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Hajdu said Canadians in Wuhan in need of assistance should reach out to the federal government for help but that “it doesn’t appear” that Canada has the need to charter a plane at this time.
0:53 Coronavirus outbreak: No plans for Canadian government to evacuate citizens from Wuhan, China on flight
Coronavirus outbreak: No plans for Canadian government to evacuate citizens from Wuhan, China on flight
In a statement released Sunday, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government is in contact with and is providing assistance to Canadians on the ground in China’s Hubei province.
“We understand the concerns of Canadians in the region and those of their families and loved ones,” he said.
— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) ?? (@FP_Champagne) January 26, 2020
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Champagne said Canadian consular officials are “closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with local authorities and our international partners to gather more information and provide support to the extent possible.”
He said Canada does not have a consular presence in Wuhan.
Meanwhile, Canada’s federal government has increased measures at airports in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal in hopes of preventing the spread of the virus.
Officials have also urged Canadians to practice good hygiene in order to limit the transmissions of all viruses. Health authorities are reminding Canadians to wash their hands thoroughly, cover their sneezes and coughs. They say anyone who is sick should stay home.
— With files from Global News’ Kerri Breen, Ryan Rocca, the Canadian Press and Reuters
Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Tyson Philpot has announced he will be out for the rest of the CFL season.
The Delta, B.C., native posted the news on his Instagram page Thursday.
“To Be Continued. Shoutout my team, the fans of the CFL and the whole city of Montreal! I can’t wait to be back healthy and write this next chapter in 2025,” the statement read.
Philpot, 24, injured his foot in a 33-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 10 and was placed on the six-game injured list the next week.
The six-foot-one, 195-pound receiver had 58 receptions, 779 yards and five touchdowns in nine games for the league-leading Alouettes in his third season.
Philpot scored the game-winning touchdown in Montreal’s Grey Cup win last season to punctuate a six-reception, 63-yard performance.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team’s game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.
Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room.
The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion when he was a college player at Alabama.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa would get “proper procedural evaluation” and “appropriate care” on Friday.
“The furthest thing from my mind is, ‘What is the timeline?’ We just need to evaluate and just worry about my teammate, like the rest of the guys are,” McDaniel said. “We’ll get more information tomorrow and take it day by day from here.”
Some players saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the game and said they were encouraged. Tagovailoa spoke with some players and then went home after the game, McDaniel said.
“I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him,” said quarterback Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa after the injury. “You care about the person more than the player and everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hopefully everything will come out all right.”
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season — a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL — and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, and that was the final score.
“If you know Tua outside of football, you can’t help but feel for him,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said on Amazon following the game. “He’s a great football player but he’s an even greater human being. He’s one of the best humans on the planet. I’ve got a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family, hoping everything’s OK. But it’s tough, man. This game of football that we play, it’s got its highs and it’s got its lows — and this is one of the lows.”
Tagovailoa’s college years and first three NFL seasons were marred by injury, though he positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023 as he led the Dolphins into the playoffs. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards last year.
When, or if, he can come back this season is anyone’s guess. Tagovailoa said in April 2023 that the concussions he had in the 2022 season left him contemplating his playing future. “I think I considered it for a time,” he said then, when asked if he considered stepping away from the game to protect himself.
McDaniel said it’s not his place to say if Tagovailoa should return to football. “He’ll be evaluated and we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate,” McDaniel said.
Tagovailoa was hurt Thursday on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.
Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.
Tagovailoa wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at him as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.
Tagovailoa appeared to be making a fist with his right hand as he lay on the ground. It was movement consistent with something that is referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury.
Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa’s spot.
“I love Tua on and off the football field,” Bills edge Von Miller said. “I’m a huge fan of him. I can empathize and sympathize with him because I’ve been there. I wish him the best.”
Tagovailoa’s history with concussions — and how he has since worked to avoid them — is a huge part of the story of his career, and now comes to the forefront once again.
He had at least two concussions during the 2022 season. He was hurt in a Week 3 game against Buffalo and cleared concussion protocol, though he appeared disoriented on that play but returned to the game.
The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that if a player shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — he must sit out the rest of the game.
Less than a week later, in a Thursday night game at Cincinnati, Tagovailoa was concussed on a scary hit that briefly knocked him unconscious and led to him being taken off the field on a stretcher.
His second known concussion of that season came in a December game against Green Bay, and he didn’t play for the rest of the 2022 season. After that, Tagovailoa began studying ways where he may be able to fall more safely and protect himself against further injury — including studying jiu-jitsu.
“I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands,” McDaniel said. “I’m just worried about the human being.”
NEW YORK (AP) — When her husband turns on the television to hear news about the upcoming presidential election, that’s often a signal for Lori Johnson Malveaux to leave the room.
It can get to be too much. Often, she’ll go to a TV in another room to watch a movie on the Hallmark Channel or BET. She craves something comforting and entertaining. And in that, she has company.
While about half of Americans say they are following political news “extremely” or “very” closely, about 6 in 10 say they need to limit how much information they consume about the government and politics to avoid feeling overloaded or fatigued, according to a new survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and USAFacts.
Make no mistake: Malveaux plans to vote. She always does. “I just get to the point where I don’t want to hear the rhetoric,” she said.
The 54-year-old Democrat said she’s most bothered when she hears people on the news telling her that something she saw with her own eyes — like the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol — didn’t really happen.
“I feel like I’m being gaslit. That’s the way to put it,” she said.
Sometimes it feels like ‘a bombardment’
Caleb Pack, 23, a Republican from Ardmore, Oklahoma, who works in IT, tries to keep informed through the news feeds on his phone, which is stocked with a variety of sources, including CNN, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press.
Yet sometimes, Pack says, it seems like a bombardment.
“It’s good to know what’s going on, but both sides are pulling a little bit extreme,” he said. “It just feels like it’s a conversation piece everywhere, and it’s hard to escape it.”
Media fatigue isn’t a new phenomenon. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in late 2019 found roughly two in three Americans felt worn out by the amount of news there is, about the same as in a poll taken in early 2018. During the 2016 presidential campaign, about 6 in 10 people felt overloaded by campaign news.
But it can be particularly acute with news related to politics. The AP-NORC/USAFacts poll found that half of Americans feel a need to limit their consumption of information related to crime or overseas conflicts, while only about 4 in 10 are limiting news about the economy and jobs.
It’s easy to understand, with television outlets like CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC full of political talk and a wide array of political news online, sometimes complicated by disinformation.
“There’s a glut of information,” said Richard Coffin, director of research and advocacy for USAFacts, “and people are having a hard time figuring out what is true or not.”
Women are more likely to feel they need to limit media
In the AP-NORC poll, about 6 in 10 men said they follow news about elections and politics at least “very” closely, compared to about half of women. For all types of news, not just politics, women are more likely than men to report the need to limit their media consumption, the survey found.
White adults are also more likely than Black or Hispanic adults to say they need to limit media consumption on politics, the poll found.
Kaleb Aravzo, 19, a Democrat, gets a baseline of news by listening to National Public Radio in the morning at home in Logan, Utah. Too much politics, particularly when he’s on social media sites like TikTok and Instagram, can trigger anxiety and depression.
“If it pops up on my page when I’m on social media,” he said, “I’ll just scroll past it.”
___
Sanders reported from Washington. David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder.
The AP poll of 1,019 adults was conducted July 29-August 8, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.
