Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, centre, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, right, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health and Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto attend a news conference in Toronto, on Monday, January 27, 2020, as officials provide an update on the coronavirus in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Alberta Health says there are no specific treatments for coronavirus – currently there is no vaccine – but there are still no confirmed cases of the virus in the province.
“There are no specific treatments for coronaviruses, and there is currently no vaccine that protects against coronaviruses,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director of communications for Alberta Health. “Alberta’s public health officials are working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada and our provincial partners.”
Alberta is focusing on actively monitoring and testing possible cases in Alberta, particularly those with a travel history to affected areas of China in the past two weeks.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, declined this week to state how many people have been tested for coronavirus, stating that zero cases is the more important number for Albertans to be aware of.
McMillan says symptoms for coronavirus can range from mild to severe and if there was a confirmed case, supportive treatment would be based on the patient’s clinical condition, at the discretion of the treating health care provider.
Frontline health professionals have information about the virus, said McMillan. This includes guidelines on how to take recommended actions and promptly report suspected cases to public health officials. This is a precautionary measure only at this time.
“Guidance on the clinical management for physicians is also available from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the WHO (World Health Organization),” said McMillan
Hinshaw has stated that anyone being tested for coronavirus is kept in isolation until results come back that are negative. Lab results take about two days. If they do not need hospitalization they are kept in isolation at home.
“Albertans are still more likely to experience respiratory infection caused by a common virus such as influenza, which is in itself a serious infection, however if anyone has specific concerns about being exposed … I encourage them to call HealthLink at 811,” said Hinshaw on Monday.
So far there are two cases of coronavirus in Ontario and a presumed case in B.C. All three cases are travel related.
