Trudeau creates Cabinet committee on COVID-19

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named a cabinet committee to respond to the Corona virus. (COVID-19).  The committee has been struck to work governments at all levels to manage the impacts of the virus.

While Canada has not experienced the impacts that other countries are experiencing right now, we must be prepared for all scenarios and closely follow best practices around the world. “We take the international spread of COVID-19 seriously, and Canadians can be assured that their government and health officials are working tirelessly to keep them safe,” Trudeau said.

The Cabinet Committee on the federal response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will complement the work being done by the Incident Response Group. It will meet regularly to ensure whole-of-government leadership, coordination, and preparedness for a response to the health and economic impacts of the virus. This includes coordination of efforts with other orders of government.  The committee will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and include Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Finance Minister Bill Morneau, and Deputy House Leader Kirsty Duncan.  Duncan is a former Associate Professor of Health Studies at the University of Toronto.

The Committee will continue the measures already taken by the Government of Canada to limit the spread of the virus, and to make sure we are protecting the health and safety of all Canadians. Canadians are encouraged to follow regular updates and technical briefings that will continue to be led by the Public Health Agency of Canada.  As of March 3, there are 30 confirmed cases: 20 in Ontario, 9 in British Columbia, and 1 in Quebec.

Halton area residents at Low Risk for Corona Virus

To-date there have been no confirmed cases in Halton Region.  Residents are being advised to inform their healthcare provider if they’ve travelled to impacted areas, or have developed symptoms  which include the following:

a fever OR cough OR difficulty breathing AND any of the following within 14 days prior to onset of illness:

• Travelled to any impacted area as listed in the Government of Canada travel health notices
• 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.