Canada's chief health officer warns: "window of opportunity is closing" to stop virus

China News Agency, Toronto, February 25 (Reporter Yu Ruidong) Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, warned on February 24 local time that the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in many countries outside China meant stopping it "The window of opportunity is closing" as the virus spreads across the globe.

Tan Yongshi warned at a telephone conference in Ottawa that the spread of the epidemic is worrying. She said it also reminded countries like Canada of the ability to monitor and control imported cases that they must be prepared from governments, communities, families and individuals.

The Canadian government has updated the risk alert for travelers. Given that travelers may have been exposed to the source of the virus abroad, the Canadian Public Health Agency urges all travelers to self-monitor their health within 14 days of arriving in Canada. If you have a fever, cough or dyspnea, call your local public health department immediately.

Tan Yongshi said frankly that it is unclear how the new crown virus spreads. In countries lacking detection capabilities, asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic individuals may have the virus spread further. She said that Canada will continue to strengthen anti-epidemic measures at airports.

Health Department of British Columbia, Canada (also translated British Columbia) announced on the 24th that the province has confirmed the seventh case of new crown virus infection. The patient was a man in his 40s and was also close contact with the sixth case in the province. The latter is a woman in her 30s who has recently returned to Canada from Iran. She is the first case in Canada whose recent travel history is outside China.

The BC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been authorized by the National Microbiology Laboratory of Canada to directly determine the new crown virus test samples without waiting for final confirmation by the National Microbiology Laboratory.

A total of 11 new coronavirus infections have been confirmed in Canada. There were 4 cases in Ontario, of which 3 have recovered; 7 cases in British Columbia, 1 of which has recovered. At present, the Canadian Public Health Agency and the health departments of Ontario and BC still maintain the risk of transmission of the new crown virus at a low level.

In addition, as the number of confirmed cases of New Coronavirus infection in Italy has surged, Air Canada said on the 24th that it will allow passengers planning to fly to parts of Italy to change flights for free. (Finish)