With heightened concerns surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus, health care officials are asking people to remain vigilant about washing their hands and staying home if they’re feeling unwell.
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says right now, most of those who get the illness recover, some people become very sick.
That’s a serious health concern because the illness is new and a vaccine is not yet available.
Ten to 15 per cent of those infected, can have a much more significant disease, which can have a significant impact on health care systems.
There are a limited number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country and no confirmed cases in this province.
(Illustration of ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses—such as the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19. Image courtesy CDC.)
Meanwhile, the provincial government is advising the public to call 811 if they experience respiratory symptoms following out-of-province travel.
Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Officials are also advising people who experience symptoms of respiratory illness following travel outside the province to contact their health care provider if they are concerns about symptoms.
If you are severely unwell and think you need medical attention, call 911 and ensure you inform health care professionals about your travel history.
