Manitoba health officials are continuing to prepare for a possible coronavirus outbreak even though the risk is low in the province.

“There have been no reported cases of novel coronavirus to date in Manitoba and the risk remains low at this time, but we must remain vigilant,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen.  “Across the health system, 911 call operators, first responders and front-line health-care staff have the information they need to identify symptoms and ensure all precautionary infectious disease protocols are in place.”

Medical responders and 911 operators will be asking patients about their travel history if they are identifying respiratory, fever, cough or flu-like symptoms. Those looking for help at a health-care facility with the same symptoms and who have travelled to Wuhan, China in the past 14 days or had contact with someone who has will be assessed for coronavirus.

Public health officials in Manitoba are working with their counterparts in the federal government and the World Health Organization to monitor the situation as it evolves.

“The risk remains low and we remain hopeful that we will not see confirmed cases of the virus in our province, but we are prepared in the event it does,” the minister said.  “We have excellent infection and prevention control procedures in place to help reduce the risk of illness.  Our proximity to the National Microbiology Laboratory, where confirmatory testing for the virus is occurring, is also a clear benefit to Manitobans in ensuring results are delivered promptly.”

So far two people in Manitoba have been tested for the virus but in both cases the results were negative.

So far in Canada, only two patients have tested positive for the virus. They are a couple from Toronto who had recently returned from Wuhan.

Manitoba officials say that if you have travelled recently to Wuhan or had contact with someone who has and you are experiencing a cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, headache, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties should contact their health-care provider or Health Links at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

© News4.ca 2020