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While tests are being done for coronavirus in Saskatchewan, the province says the risk to people remains low.
Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer, said Wednesday there have been five tests done in the province so far for coronavirus. One test came back negative and the other four results are still pending.
“From other provinces also, most of the tests do come back negative,” Shahab said at an update provided by the Ministry of Health. “Even if you’ve travelled back from China and you get a respiratory illness, even though they have an outbreak right now, it’s much more likely it’s one of the common cold viruses or influenza.”
Shahab also commented on rumours about a confirmed coronavirus case in Saskatoon. He said he believes rumours like this get going because people share something on social media.
“I think it’s good to go to the credible websites because (the province) will always keep individuals up to date,” he said. “If there’s a first case in Saskatchewan, that will be formally announced just like in other provinces.”
He said people need to be careful when sharing things on social media, especially when it comes to a person’s health and well-being.
“We need to focus on going to credible health websites, like the Ministry of Health or the public health agency, for specific information on health issues,” he said.
Shahab said there have been three confirmed cases of coronavirus in Canada and the outbreak is continuing in China, especially in the Wuhan region of the country.
Shahab said the province continues to monitor the situation closely but most Canadians shouldn’t be concerned about getting the virus.
“If you are a person on the street and you have not travelled, you should not be concerned,” he said.
If a person has travelled, specifically from China, Shahab said people should be aware of their symptoms. If they feel ill and if they develop a fever or cough, they should call the province’s health line.
The symptoms of the virus are similar to other respiratory illnesses. They include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Shahab said the health system has learned a lot about how to deal with outbreaks since SARS first affected the world.
“Over the next four to six weeks, we will see how the evolution is (of the coronavirus). All of us are watching if transmission gets established outside of China. So far, transmission has not been established outside of China but that’s something which we will have to watch closely,” Shahab said.
