Dear Fellow Islanders,
We are sharing some publicly available information that you may find helpful. If you have any questions, please go to the websites below and/or contact your health care provider.
Take care,
Virginia & Jonathan
*****
As of Friday evening, Feb 28, 2020:
There are now 7 cases of coronavirus (CoV) reported for BC, 7 for Ontario, and more than 65 in US (including Washington and Oregon).
"The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada. Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available." (taken from PHAC website, see link below)
Please take appropriate precautions if you feel unwell or have traveled internationally or through major international airports in past few weeks (the incubation period from infection to appearance of symptoms can be as long as 27 days). Please seek medical advice (see info below under Health Canada) and avoid spreading to others.
Global health organizations (CDC, WHO) have published preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection. Recommendations are similar to those published for other coronaviruses: staying home, avoiding travel and public activities, frequent washing of hands with soap and water; not touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; and practicing good respiratory hygiene.
As of Friday, 28 Feb 2020, the known cases reported to WHO are 83,694; deaths are 2,861; mortality rate = 3.4%
Please go to reliable sources (see examples below) for information. Please do NOT rely on uncertain sources (for example, there are "pranksters" on social media telling folks to drink bleach--this is, of course, very dangerous). Please note that there are NO herbal or homeopathic treatments or cures for CoV.
Health Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
"It is important for all travellers to monitor their health when they return to Canada. While abroad, you may have come in contact with the novel coronavirus. PHAC asks that you monitor your health for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days after you arrive in Canada. If you have these symptoms, call the public health authority in the province or territory you are in to inform them. They will provide advice on what you should do."
Vancouver Island Health Authority:
https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/diseases-conditions/novel-coronavirus-information
World Health Organization:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd
Wikipedia: