QUESTION PERIOD — Health
Coronavirus
February 25, 2020
Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate regarding Canada’s response to the coronavirus.
Recognizing that Canada, in accordance with the best available evidence, acted quickly and appropriately in the early stages of this epidemic, new scientific evidence suggests that a different approach to this disease may now be necessary. Specifically, first, the infection can be spread by seemingly asymptomatic individuals. Second, the infection spreads not like a wave but as a cancer that metastasizes and grows out from nodal points, as seen recently in Italy, South Korea and Iran.
How is the Government of Canada adjusting its plan to respond to this new information? When will an adjusted plan be implemented and communicated to Canadians?
I thank the honourable senator for the question. To the best of my understanding and according to the information that I’ve been provided, the Canadian health care system generally — and that includes, of course, the system across the country and the provinces — remains well prepared to handle cases of the spread of the virus in Canada. The government is taking all necessary steps to monitor and adjust as necessary. It would appear that it is in the nature of viruses generally, and this virus particularly, that it changes and mutates. I am therefore advised that all relevant health care officials in Canada are monitoring this very carefully.
Best practices are in place across Canadian hospitals to isolate patients who are experiencing symptoms. Even though I’m advised that Canada is in conformity with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Public Health Agency of Canada has agreed to review those standards based upon concerns of whether or not they are stringent enough. I wanted to reassure this chamber that, to the best of my information, all cases in Canada are isolated and all are receiving care.
