MEDICAL ADVISORY: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #6

Issued by:  M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner (Acting)

Impacted Areas for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Expand

Impacted areas* currently include China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Health Care Providers are requested to access the Government of Canada COVID-19 Affected Areas List periodically for new impacted areas.

Case Definitions for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated

For easy reference we are restating the case definition. Please highlight with your staff.

Person Under Investigation:

• A person with fever and/or onset of cough or difficulty breathing AND any of the following within 14 days prior to onset of illness:
  • Travel to an impacted area* or
  • Close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 or
  • Close contact with a person with acute respiratory illness who has been to an impacted area*

Probable Case:

• A person with fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) and/or onset of (or exacerbation of chronic) cough AND any of the following within 14 days prior to onset of illness:
  • Travel to an impacted area* or
  • Close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 or
  • Close contact with a person with acute respiratory illness who has been to an impacted area*
  • AND in whom laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 is not available, inconclusive, or negative (if specimen quality or timing is suspect)

Signage

Please remove old signs and replace with the attached (see below). Colour copies are available for order or download under Infection Prevention and Control.

NOTE: As this is an evolving situation, the attached signage has been updated to reflect any travel outside of North America in the 14 days prior to onset of illness. If your patient says yes to the screening question(s), please ask additional questions to determine travel to any of the impacted countries.

Further Information

The Infectious Disease program can be reached at 1-888-505-6074 or 905-688-8248 ext. 7330 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m., after hours 905-984-3690.  As information is evolving daily, please refer to Infectious Disease Information for Health Professionals.