As global tensions mount over the spread of COVID-19, Canada is crafting its own plan to respond to what could become a pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, an international health emergency. But so far it has resisted using the label “pandemic” — in part because of the panic that could inspire.
On Friday, the WHO elevated the global risk level to “very high,” but Canadian officials maintain the risk here remains low. Fourteen cases have been confirmed to date — seven in British Columbia, seven in Ontario and another unconfirmed case in Quebec.
Officials say preparations are well underway to respond to a global pandemic and a domestic outbreak.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said that while the government is concerned, Canadians need to take the situation seriously without surrendering to fear.
“I really want people to be confident and reassured that there is a very elaborate, very detailed scenario in place for what we should do,” she told host Chris Hall in an interview with CBC Radio One’s The House airing Saturday.
Here’s what might change if the WHO declares a pandemic, and how Canadians could be affected.
What would authorities do to limit the spread?
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam told CBC News Network’s Power & Politics that federal, provincial and community health officials have kicked into high gear to prepare for wider transmission of the virus.
Pandemic plans have been developed already and will adapt to any evolving scenario, she said.
“There are going to be some tough decisions that health systems have to make when there are a lot of patients, including prioritizing your beds for those who are most in need. You may need to cancel elective surgeries and that type of thing,” she told host Vassy Kapelos.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Michael Gardam said a basic premise of any public health pandemic plan is “social distancing,” which could include closing schools and universities and cancelling public gatherings.
“They don’t stop the virus but they slow it down,” he told The House, adding that a delayed outbreak could ease pressure on hospitals already burdened by the busy flu season.
After the 2003 SARS epidemic, which caught many health professionals off-guard, Canada built up public health infrastructure and medical stockpiles to prepare for future emergencies. Gardham said that now makes Canada better prepared than many other countries to respond to a pandemic — with the caveat that most of the country’s hospitals are now at 100 per cent capacity.
Could there be community quarantines?
Decisions on how to isolate infected persons will be made by local and provincial health authorities. Their approaches could range from recommended self-isolation, to hospitalization, to quarantine.
Tam said public health systems are adept at assessing and isolating people who are contagious and managing infectious diseases.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says federal, provincial and community health officials have kicked into high gear to prepare for wider transmission of the coronavirus. 10:12
“So you might see certain settings where exposures could have occurred and that local public health officials will make a determination, and groups of people may need to be in a quarantine,” she said during a briefing with reporters this week.
Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said that in the event of a pandemic, the city would operate under emergency response protocols. Legislative powers for quarantines come under the Provincial Health Protection and Promotion Act, she told CBC News.
Steps to limit spread of the virus would be assessed and taken after officials weighed the need to prevent the spread of infection against the need for communities to function.
“We are closely watching the global epidemiology and response measures elsewhere including the effectiveness of increased public health measures such as postponing large gatherings,” de Villa said.
“Other actions that could be considered could include postponement of events, or limiting places where people gather in large numbers. This action is a significant measure and can be very disruptive to people and their everyday lives.”
Are there enough supplies, equipment, hospital beds?
It’s not clear at this point whether Canada’s current stockpile of masks, gloves, respirators and other supplies and equipment is large enough to respond to a pandemic.
Tam said federal and provincial officials are now taking stock of the inventory, but the responsibility for setting aside adequate supplies lies with each province and territory.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) co-ordinates the overarching plan for health emergencies. Tam said that as a result of the “changing landscape” due to COVID-19, officials at all levels are now “pulling together” information.
“Of course, we have to adapt to … the evolution of the outbreak in order to fine-tune some of these estimates … that’s the kind of exercise that’s being undertaken right now. But the granularity of the system’s preparedness is, of course, left to the provinces and territories,” she said.
Could Canada ban cross-border travel?
There are now at least 60 countries affected by the coronavirus, some with isolated cases and others with serious outbreaks.
Officials have said closing borders is ineffective in preventing the spread of the virus, so it’s unlikely that Canada would impose a total travel ban. But international travellers could be at heightened risk of being exposed to the virus, or being stranded by a quarantine situation, if they travel to a zone affected by the COVID-19.
Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne has encouraged Canadians to check Global Affairs Canada’s travel advisories before planning a trip. The advisories are updated as new information becomes available.
Tam told Power & Politics that every Canadian should consider various factors as the busy March Break travel period approaches, such as their underlying health and age and their planned destination. She stressed the importance of being aware of any symptoms upon returning to Canada, and of self-isolation to avoid exposing others.
What should Canadians do to prepare?
There is no vaccine yet for the novel coronavirus.
PHAC says Canadians should protect themselves against infection by washing their hands frequently with soap, staying home when sick, covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding touching their eyes, nose, or mouths with unwashed hands.
“Although these sound like your basic things that you do every flu season, it is really important for you to rehearse, to talk to your kids and your family and keep practising these kind of measures,” Tam told P&P.
Tam and Health Minister Patty Hajdu also have suggested preparing as you would for a natural emergency such as a severe snowstorm — by setting aside a week’s supply of food, medicine and other household supplies.
Tam also recommended having back-up plans for child care and work in the event someone in the household becomes sick.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch stressed the importance of getting reliable information about the coronavirus from authoritative sources, and said Canadians should take the opportunity to address chronic health care issues and fill outstanding prescriptions.
He told the CBC’s Front Burner podcast that Canadians are feeling daunted by the thought of being at the “precipice of a pandemic.” He offered what he called a uniquely Canadian message.
“You keep your head up and your stick on the ice,” he told host Jayme Poisson.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
