cc/Gerd Altman
Here’s all the notable stories from today in regards to COVID-19.
London
Both Fanshawe College and Western University have postponed their respective open houses expected for this weekend. Both schools have been in close talks with the London Middlesex Health Unit and have elected to push the dates. There has only been one case of COVID-19 in London and it has since been resolved. Officials maintain that London’s risk of an outbreak is low.
PLEASE NOTE: Globally, the COVID-19 outbreak is evolving quickly. However, the level of risk for residents of London and Middlesex County remains low. For the latest information and updates, please visit our website at https://t.co/PUzrRbu1Ja #LdnOnt #Middlesex https://t.co/R7P7Zu4GFb
— MLHealthUnit (@MLHealthUnit) March 11, 2020
Ontario
Ontario health officials have confirmed 17 new cases of the novel coronavirus at 10:30am on Mar. 12. All the cases were people who had recently travelled internationally or were in close contact with someone who had. All patients are in self-isolation.
Two of the most recent cases involve children under the age of 18, including one infant. Of the 17 cases: 11 are in the Toronto or surrounding area (Peel region); two in Waterloo Region; one each in Hamilton, Halton, Simcoe and Ottawa.
Leaders Self-Isolate
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in self-isolation after his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, exhibited symptoms. Sophie had recently returned from a speaking engagement in Britain. She has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting the results.
I have some personal news to share today. Sophie recently returned from a speaking event in the UK, and last night she was experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. She‘s feeling better, but following the advice of our doctor she is self-isolating as we wait on COVID-19 test results.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 12, 2020
New Democrat Party leader Jagmeet Singh has also self-isolated himself after battling an illness. His doctor says that his symptoms are not consistent with those of coronavirus.
Out West
Manitoba has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The woman recently travelled to the Philippines. Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin says the province was prepared to respond quickly.
Saskatchewan also has its first confirmed case of the virus. The JUNO Awards that were slated for Sunday evening in Saskatoon have also been cancelled out of fear for the virus.
The 2020 JUNO Awards have been cancelled. pic.twitter.com/eVvT3KUT8D
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 12, 2020
In Alberta, a daycare in Calgary has shut its doors in light of COVID-19. A child at the daycare has tested positive for the virus. The centre will be closed until Mar. 23 with families being told to self-quarantine until Mar. 20. Alberta now has 19 cases of the novel coronavirus.
Sports
The National Hockey League (NHL) has suspended its regular season out of concerns due to coronavirus. On Thursday morning, the league notified all teams not to participate in meetings or morning skates. After a conference call in the early afternoon, the NHL made its decision to follow suit with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The decision to temporarily suspend play due to the COVID-19 pandemic is an appropriate course of action at this time. pic.twitter.com/ApudNZvurS
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) March 12, 2020
In the fallout of the NBA’s decision to suspend the season, a second player has been tested positive for COVID-19. Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell is the second member of the team to get the bug. His teammate, Rudy Gobert was diagnosed moments before tipoff of the Jazz’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The league immediately cancelled that game and suspended its operations.
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell has tested positive for the coronavirus, league sources tell ESPN. Jazz players privately say that Rudy Gobert had been careless in the locker room touching other players and their belongings. Now a Jazz teammate has tested positive.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020
The Toronto Raptors and multiple other teams are now in self-isolation after playing against Utah the past couple of weeks. All players and staff members from the teams are to be quarantined for at least two weeks.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has suspended spring training as their season approaches. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) temporarily suspended its operations. Major League Soccer (MLS) also announced a 30 day halt as they await the next move.
Globally
Italy continues its nationwide lock-down as it is still the most infected country outside of China. Italy has now surpassed 1,000 deaths due to COVID-19.
The World Health Organization’s map of the infected areas of the world
Worldwide, there are nearly 125,000 cases of the virus across 118 countries.
