Here's what we know about the Air Canada passenger that tested positive for coronavirus
On Sunday, Air Canada confirmed that a passenger travelling from Montreal to Vancouver on Valentine's Day has tested positive for coronavirus.
The passenger — a woman in her 30s who lives in the province’s Fraser Health region — spent several weeks in Iran. She contracted the disease there before returning to Canada.
Iran announced on Sunday the death toll from the virus was eight, higher than any country outside China.
This is B.C.'s sixth case of coronavirus.
1/2 As of Feb 21, 2020, Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory confirmed: 455 negative cases and 9 positive cases of COVID-19 (#BC-6; #ON-3). For the latest updates on #COVID19: https://t.co/w8dAJC4Own pic.twitter.com/KuAQInn7B3
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) February 22, 2020
The patient showed mild symptoms upon arriving in Vancouver and was tested in hospital for the virus. She has since been released, but must remain at home in isolation.
Air Canada was advised of the case on Saturday by the BC Centre for Disease Control, and staff were informed of the incident in a memo sent on the same day.
The memo said, "As per their procedures, BC CDC will contact only the crew serving the relevant section of the aircraft and the passengers travelling in the three rows immediately in front and behind the infected passenger."
"Although there will be no follow-up with our other crew as per the BC CDC, we've elected to advise the entire crew, as well as the pilots of that flight."
Still, Air Canada is inviting passengers seated in other rows to contact the airline if they have concerns.
Hello, did you or someone you know travel from YUL to YVR on February 14? If so, please send us the electronic ticket number(s) (014...) and the passengers' contact information in a DM for further assistance. /Charlie
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) February 24, 2020
Crew members from the flight are not required to stop flying, but are advised to "self-monitor for 14 days" and report any symptoms to their local health professionals.
Fraser Health has also sent a letter to all school districts on Friday within its region — which includes Burnaby, New Westminster, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and the Tri-Cities — warning that contacts of the woman "may have attended schools in the region and are currently isolated."
There are currently 10 cases of coronavirus in Canada, including the latest case of coronavirus in Toronto reported on February 23.
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