First presumed Coronavirus case in BC

Jan 28, 2020 | 11:25 AM

VANCOUVER–The first presumed case of Coronavirus in British Columbia has been confirmed.

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health along with Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, issued a joint statement this morning saying that the BC Centre for Disease Control lab confirmed a positive test for 2019-nCoV, Novel Coronavirus.

“The person is a male in his forties and a resident in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. He travels regularly to China for work and was in Wuhan city on his most recent trip. He returned to Vancouver last week and had an onset of symptoms after his return.”

Symptoms of the virus include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, fever and a general feeling of being unwell. According to the statement released by Dix and Henry, the suspected carrier of the virus is in isolation at his home.

“The risk of spread of this virus within British Columbia remains low at this time.”

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According to the CDC the virus can cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, however, this is more common to people with cardiopulmonary disease, people with weakened immune systems, infants and older adults.

“The BC Centre for Disease Control has a team of experts that support the Province’s operations in monitoring and controlling communicable and vaccine-preventable diseases. The team has developed a diagnostic test for this new coronavirus and is co-ordinating staff and supplies to ensure potential cases can be detected quickly and accurately.”

Both Dix and Henry say that it is not necessary for the general public to take any special precautions beyond the usual measure taken to prevent common respiratory viruses during the winter period. Regular hand washing is recommended, cough and sneeze into elbows, dispose of tissues appropriately and avoid contact with sick people.

by Veronica Beltran

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First presumed Coronavirus case in BC

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