Eighth case of COVID-19 recorded in B.C., first U.S. death near Seattle

Credit to Author: Glenda Luymes| Date: Sat, 29 Feb 2020 21:23:05 +0000

Health officials confirmed B.C.’s eighth case of coronavirus COVID-19 on Saturday involving a woman who recently arrived from Iran.

The patient is a woman in her 60s who is visiting family from Tehran, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said at a media briefing. She in isolation at home with a relatively mild case, while a small number of her close contacts are also in isolation.

Henry said the woman is in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. She did not have symptoms when she arrived in Canada, but kept to the household where she was visiting. When she became sick, she called ahead to a clinic and wore a mask.

“Close contacts have been identified and contacted by public health officials,” she said. “Those who may be at risk are now in isolation for 14 days and are being actively monitored for symptoms.”

Henry called the situation with the spread of the virus in Iran “very concerning.”

Three new cases of the novel coronavirus were also confirmed in Ontario today. Three of the new patients had recently travelled to Iran.

Ontario health officials say the fourth patient had not been to Iran but is married to one of the patients who did. They say the four people are not showing severe symptoms and are currently in self-isolation at home.

Meanwhile, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix expressed support for American health officials as the United States recorded its first coronavirus death in Washington State on Friday.

Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement saying it was a “sad day in our state.”

“In partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, the Washington State Department of Emergency Management and local and community health partners, we are strengthening our preparedness and response efforts,” he said. “I am committed to keeping Washingtonians healthy, safe and informed.”

More to come…

gluymes@postmedia.com

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