Ontario confirms second case of Wuhan coronavirus

A second presumptive case of the Wuhan coronavirus has been found in Toronto. 

Today (Jan. 27), Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, confirmed that the wife of the man who was the first person to be diagnosed with Wuhan novel coronavirus in Ontario has tested positive for the virus. 

Since arriving in Toronto with her husband, she has been in self-isolation.

“We are working alongside Toronto Public Health, who has been in regular contact with the individual during their self-isolation period,” said Dr. Williams. “Given the fact that she has been in self-isolation, the risk to Ontarians remains low.”

On Jan. 25, Sunnybrook Hospital announced that it is currently caring for the first patient with a confirmed case of coronavirus.

A new strand of coronavirus, known for causing respiratory infections that can potentially be fatal, was recently reported in Wuhan, China.

The New York Times reports that over 3,000 people have contracted the illness and up to 80 people have died of it. Most people who have been diagnosed with the virus live in China. 

No deaths have been reported outside of China. 

Over the weekend, Sunnybrook confirmed that the first coronavirus patient in Ontario had recently travelled to Wuhan.

“On Thursday evening (January 23) an adult male presented to the Sunnybrook Emergency Department with fever and respiratory symptoms,” Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre said in a recent statement.

“Sunnybrook’s Emergency Department team isolated the patient immediately and took the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of staff and other patients. Diagnostic testing was conducted and specimens were sent to the Public Health Lab in Ontario to confirm the diagnosis.”

Over the weekend, the hospital said the patient is currently in stable condition and remains in isolation away from the other patients.

The hospital said doctors were working to manage the patient’s symptoms. 

Sunnybrook remains open at this time and the hospital says it is still safe for patients and visitors.

“I want to thank our front-line teams and the great efforts of those in Public Health, for acting so quickly and efficiently to ensure the patient received an accurate diagnosis and is being cared for safely and effectively,” said Dr. Andy Smith, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

In response to this case, the Ontario government has launched a new page on its website for information about coronavirus and steps residents can take to protect themselves.