Canada preparing a Plan B pandemic response in case coronavirus containment fails

with No Comments
Masks help guard against the coronavirus on a street in downtown Tehran, Iran, Feb. 23, 2020. (The Associated Press)

(Kathleen Harris/ CBC News) — A top Canadian health official says that while the federal government works to stop the spread of the coronavirus, it’s also preparing a robust response plan in case containment fails.

Answering questions from MPs on the House of Commons health committee Wednesday, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Howard Njoo said Canada is in a “good position” to deal with the virus, with only 12 confirmed cases to date and no evidence that the virus is spreading through communities.

That could change fast, he said, if the domestic and global situation escalates — and preparations for that eventuality are already underway.

“We can’t do this with our eyes closed and not recognize what might happen weeks and months from now,” Njoo said.

Njoo said a special advisory committee composed of federal, provincial and territorial public health officials has been formed. The committee will craft a coronavirus response plan based on two comprehensive plans already developed at the provincial and federal levels to deal with major health events. (…)

read full story