30 Mar Coronavirus: How COVID-19 is Spreading Across Canada

Among the many disasters that we have come across in recent history, the COVID-19 threat is probably the worst. As the impact of the new global pandemic continues to grab countries all over the world in its clutches, the global population is in a state of shock. Proper monitoring of the spread of COVID-19 is one of the foremost tools for governments of countries all over the world. So, what has been the situation of the spread of COVID-19 in the last seven days in Canada? A closer look at the updates by the Public Health Agency of Canada can provide better clarity on this question.

Timeline of COVID-19 in Canada

• The first confirmations of COVID-19 came from China on January 7, 2020. If we observe the timeline of the spread of COVID-19 and the measures taken by Canada since then, we can anticipate the existing and probable situations.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada activated the Emergency Operation Centre on January 15, 2020, for supporting the country’s response to COVID-19.
• Canada implemented screening requirements regarding COVID-19 for travelers returning from China at major airports in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto on January 22, 2020.
• Three days later, on January 25, 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was identified in Canada due to travel in Wuhan, China.
• The WHO declared COVID-19 as a public health event of international concern on January 30, 2020.
• Canada increased the COVID-19 screening requirements for travelers returning from the affected areas at ten airports in 6 provinces on February 9, 2020.
• Canada confirmed the first case of COVID-19 due to travel outside mainland China on February 20, 2020.
• On March 5, 2020, Canada confirmed the first case of COVID-19 contracted within the community rather than other reasons such as travel or contact with infected individuals.
• Misery followed quickly as Canada confirmed the first death due to COVID-19 on March 9, 2020.
• Two days later, the WHO declared the global COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, thereby establishing the seriousness of the threat.

Timeline of Canada’s Response

In recent weeks, Canada has taken multiple measures for containing the spread of COVID-19. The timeline on the official website of the Public Health Agency of Canada shows the following important decisions on different dates.

• The Government of Canada advises all Canadians to avoid any non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice on March 13, 2020.
• The Government of Canada advised self-isolation for travelers entering Canada for 14 days on March 16, 2020.
• The most striking measure by the Canadian Government came recently with the ban on entry of foreign nationals from all countries, except the United States. The Government made this announcement on March 18, 2020, and redirected international passenger flight arrivals to four different airports in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary.
• The Government announced financial help with a COVID-19 Economic Response Plan on March 18, 2020. The primary aim of this measure will be to support Canadians and businesses facing problems due to the outbreak.

Now, we all have to extend our prayers and support to everyone fighting this new and deadly threat to mankind. In these tough times, solidarity is the light that shall guide us forward to a new future where the world can smile again!

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html#a1

https://globalnews.ca/news/6627505/coronavirus-covid-canada-timeline/