Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in British Columbia:

“Late on Feb. 6, the first Canadian-operated repatriation flight carrying returning Canadians from Wuhan, China arrived at the Vancouver International Airport. The aircraft refuelled and proceeded to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton in Ontario. No crew members or passengers remained in B.C.

“Early on Feb. 7, a flight operated by the United States carrying returning Canadians from Wuhan arrived at the Vancouver International Airport. The Canadian passengers disembarked and immediately boarded an awaiting aircraft with service to CFB Trenton. The initial aircraft proceeded onto the United States. No crew members or passengers remained in B.C.

“The returning Canadians will spend 14 days at CFB Trenton — which is the 2019-nCoV maximum incubation period — so they can be assessed and monitored, and to support their transition back to Canada.

“We want to reassure people that the risk of spread of this virus within British Columbia remains low at this time. We are watching the evolution of the outbreak in China very closely and will notify the public if the measures we need to take in B.C. change.

“Now is the time for tolerance. We call on all British Columbians to come together as a community to help one another. In this time of uncertainty, this is not only the right response, but the necessary one. Fear obstructs the important work of our public health officials to protect the health and safety of British Columbians.

“Together with our federal and provincial partners, we are asking people who have recently visited, or who have been in close contact with someone who has recently visited, the Hubei province in China to call public health officials and self-isolate for 14 days.

“The most important measures to prevent all respiratory illnesses, including this novel coronavirus, remain cleaning your hands regularly, avoiding touching your face, coughing or sneezing into your elbow sleeve, disposing of tissues appropriately and staying home and away from others if you become sick.

“Anyone who is concerned they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of, the coronavirus should contact their primary care provider, local public health office or call 811. Translation services for 811 are available in more than 130 languages.”

Learn More:

For more information and latest updates on 2019-nCoV, follow the BC Centre for Disease Control on Twitter @CDCofBC or visit the website: http://www.bccdc.ca/

Provincial health officer’s Jan. 29, 2020, statement confirming 2019-nCoV: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0016-000176

For the Jan. 28 joint statement on 2019-nCoV, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0015-000151