The Canadian government said 196 Canadians have asked for help to leave China in the middle of an outbreak of a new virus.
Marta Morgan, the vice-minister of foreign affairs, told the House of Commons committee this morning that Canada is still working on getting the approval of China to send a chartered plane to collect them.
To try to contain the new coronavirus, China has all but shut down one of the central provinces, starting with the city of Wuhan.
About 250 Canadians registered with Global Affairs Canada, according to the government.
Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Canada has taken the appropriate measures to control the spread of the new coronavirus even though the World Health Organization declared a global emergency.
“We’re working out, now, a plan to protect the health of Canada here in Canada and ensure that Canada can be discharged from Hubei who, in some cases, are in a very difficult situation because the Chinese quarantine has been placed,” he said.
Hajdu noted that there are strict protocols for quarantine, so global affairs negotiations between Canada and the Chinese government are ongoing.
On a teleconference, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer says despite the health emergency declaration from the @WHO, the coronavirus risk to Canadians remains low #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) January 30, 2020
She said Canada has been able to detect cases very quickly, supporting people to get better and prevent the spread of disease.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer said he was worried about the misinformation targeting people of Chinese descent.
“We have seen some of the comments were very hurtful, irresponsible frankly on social media and other contexts. This is unacceptable but really did not do anything to help stop the spread of this virus, “said Theresa Tam. “It is understood our fears increased during times of uncertainty. But when this fear leads to some of the stigma and stereotypes spread misinformation simply do no harm. ”
Tam explains some of the existing vaccines for other coronavirus is being examined. However, even if the vaccine into the first phase of a clinical trial, it will not be available for at least another year.
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