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Niagara Health screening for coronavirus at all hospitals

First human-to-human case reported south of the border on Thursday
the-world-health-organization-who-reports-6-065-confirmed-cases-of-a-new-coronavirus-2019-ncov
Niagara Health are screening patients at all locations for symptoms of coronavirus. (File photo)

Niagara Health are screening patients at all their sites amidst the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus.

"We continue to monitor the situation regarding the coronavirus, and we are fully confident in our team and in our hospital readiness plan for a potential case at any of our sites", said  Dr. Karim Ali, Director, Division of Infectious Diseases in a statement.

Testing will be done based on symptoms and travel history.

So far, one person was tested in St Catharines, with negative results.

On Thursday afternoon the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global emergency, and on the same day the first human-to-human transmission was reported in the U.S.

Two cases have been confirmed in Toronto.

Globally the death toll has risen over 170, with over 8,000 cases according to data compiled by John Hopkins University.

Niagara health maintains the risk to Ontarians is low but reminds the public to take precautions.

- Wash your hands often

- Avoid contact with people who are sick

- Practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette

- Stay home if you are sick



 

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Ludvig Drevfjall

About the Author: Ludvig Drevfjall

Ludvig Drevfjall has been the editor of ThoroldToday since January 2020. He has worked as a journalist in Sweden, British Columbia and Ontario
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