Information about 2019 novel coronavirus

The following message is to provide Defence Team members with information related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (referred to as 2019-nCoV), which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019.

Since then, the Public Health Agency of Canada has been working with international partners, including the World Health Organization, provincial and territorial counterparts, and other federal departments and agencies to monitor and respond to this evolving situation.

As you know, Canada has identified suspected cases of coronavirus. This was not unexpected and reflects that our health systems are on alert and taking appropriate steps to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus in Canada. Our healthcare systems are well prepared to handle the virus and the risk to Canadians continues to be low.

Health Canada’s Public Service Occupational Health Program (PSOHP) has issued a general advisory to federal employees. It advises employees to continue to take general precautions to reduce their risk of infection, such as washing their hands often with soap and water, coughing or sneezing into their arm or tissue, avoiding touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. The PSOHP continues to work with federal departments and agencies to provide occupational health advice for federal employees working at points of entry (e.g., airports) and other key workplace settings.

If you are concerned about a potential exposure to 2019-nCoV and have had fever and either cough or shortness of breath within the 14 days of travel to China since January 1, 2020, please seek medical care promptly. Similarly if you have been in close contact with a known 2019-nCoV patient and develop these symptoms, seek medical care promptly. In both cases, make sure to disclose your exposure to your health care provider as soon as possible after you get into care.

Since this is an evolving situation, visit Canada.ca/coronavirus for the latest information. You can also follow Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, on Twitter for up-to-date information.