Yahoo News COVID-19 cases in Canada: March 16-22
As cases of COVID-19 continue to spread around the world, Canadians are increasingly concerned about their health and safety.
This is a timeline of cases dating from March 16, until March 22. For the latest cases around Canada, you can click here.
Check back for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak in Canada.
Alberta reports a record surge
Date reported: March 16
Health officials in Alberta have reported 18 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 74.
It’s the highest they’ve reported in a day. COVID-19 has now been reported in each of Alberta’s health zones, with two of the newly reported cases being confirmed in the north and south zones.
Of the 74 cases, there are also five people in hospital, including two in intensive care. It’s unknown at this time if any of the 18 new cases involve community transmission, since the majority involve travel.
On March 14, potential community spread was first reported in Alberta when health authorities couldn’t identify the reason for transmission for two cases. A day later, health authorities confirmed that there was evidence of community transmission, with one case in the Edmonton zone and the other in Calgary.
Community transmission is when a person catches the virus from someone who has no traceable travel connections. Dr. Deena Hinshaw
"Community transmission is when a person catches the virus from someone who has no traceable travel connections. This could mean that Albertans are exposed within their communities,” said the province's chief medical health officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, from a video call.
Hinshaw is currently in self-isolation at home after reporting signs of illness that are not consistent with COVID-19.
Four Canadians test positive at CFB Trenton
Date reported: March 16
There are now eight Canadians at the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ont., who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The four new patients individuals are among the group of 228 Canadians who were repatriated on March 9, from the Grand Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined and docked off the coast of California after at least 20 passengers were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Passengers on the plane back to Canada were not allowed to board if they showed symptoms prior to departure. Public health officials have not provided more information on the four individuals.
Manitoba diagnosis its eighth case
Date reported: March 16
A man in his 80s has tested positive for COVID-19, according to health officials in Manitoba.
His case is still presumptive, as secondary tests are currently being completed at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
It is believed that he contracted the disease through recent travel, just like the province’s first seven cases.
Further information on the newest patient, such as where he travelled or which part of Manitoba he resides in, has not been made available.
Saskatchewan identifies a new COVID-19 case
Date reported: March 16
A seventh presumptive case of the novel coronavirus has been diagnosed in Regina, in an individual who in their 60s.
The person recently travelled to Arizona in the United States, and is currently in hospital for medical issues that are not related to COVID-19.
Health officials are currently contacting people who may have been in close contact with the patient.
One more cases in New Brunswick
Date reported: March 16
A presumptive case of COVID-19 has been detected in New Brunswick, bringing the province’s count to seven.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, said the woman is between 20 and 30 years old. She lives in the southern part of the province, and recently returned from a trip to Greece.
Public health officials are currently tracing her contacts in the province.
B.C. reports three deaths, 30 new cases
Date reported: March 16
Three more people have died after contracting COVID-19 in a British Columbia long-term care home, health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Tuesday.
All three victims were residents at the Lynn Valley Centre where Canada’s first coronavirus death was reported March 8.
Health authorities also reported another 30 cases in B.C., bringing the province’s total to 107. There are now also more than 400 cases of COVID-19 in Canada. All four Canadian deaths are in B.C.
COVID-19 was first detected in the long-term care home in North Vancouver after a health-care worker was diagnosed with the disease on March 5. Officials believe the health-care worker to be Canada’s first case of community spread, because of her lack of travel history or close relationship with anyone who has recently been to a highly infected COVID-19 zone.
On March 14, Henry said there were 12 staffers and four residents who had COVID-19.
Henry added that at least four of the new 30 cases have been traced back to a dental professionals’ conference in Vancouver. Attendees are being asked to self-isolate.
British Columbia is also ordering the cancellation of all gatherings of more than 50 people.
Quebec hits 50 cases
Date reported: March 16
Quebec health authorities have diagnosed nine more people with COVID-19, bringing the province’s count to 50.
Five of the new cases are in Montreal. There is also one each in Chaudière-Appalaches, Lanaudière and Montérégie. Health officials could not confirm where the ninth case was. Earlier today, the province confirmed two other cases in Montreal, but demographic information about the patients was not available.
As of March 16, Quebec has had 3,079 negative COVID-19 test results, but there are almost as many tests — 3,073 — that are still being investigated.
Nova Scotia diagnoses two more patients
Date reported: March 16
Two presumptive cases of COVID-19 have been identified by provincial health officials, bringing Nova Scotia’s total case count to five.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer, said both patients are in the Halifax area. The cases involve a man and a woman in their 50s, who recently attended an “international event” in Nova Scotia. It’s believed they likely had close contact with people who were recently out of the country.
More information on the event has not yet been made available. Both patients are currently in self-isolation at home, as health officials await secondary test results from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
As of March 16, the province has conducted 676 tests.
Ontario diagnoses another 32 cases
Date reported: March 16
Provincial health officials have reported 32 new cases as part of their morning update, bringing Ontario’s total to 177.
All 32 cases are currently in self-isolation.
The patients are located across the province, spanning regions from Ottawa, Guelph, Toronto, Durham, Sudbury, Niagara, Hamilton, York and Peel, among others.
According to the Ontario government’s website, one person contracted the disease through close contact while two others are believed to have contracted it during a recent trip to the United States.
In a press conference, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, the province’s associate chief medical officer of health, said that about half of the 32 cases have been to the U.S. Yaffe said that they “really cannot definitely rule out community transmission” at this point.
“There are some that do not seem to have a travel history or a contact case at this stage,” said Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.
Health officials are currently still investigating 1,537 people who have tested for COVID-19. There have been a total of 10,178 people in Ontario who have been tested.
Late Sunday, CBC News confirmed that a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at Toronto Pearson airport tested positive for COVID-19. The CBSA is not aware how their employee contracted the disease, but the individual and employees who were recently in close contact with them Are currently in self-isolation at home.
B.C. announces record surge, three more deaths
Date reported: March 17
Three more deaths and 83 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in British Columbia, according to Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer.
The news has led to B.C. declaring a public health emergency on March 17.
The province now has 186 cases of COVID-19, to go along with seven of Canada’s eight total deaths. Ontario reported its first COVID-19 related fatality today, and the only one outside of B.C.
Two of the newly reported deaths in the west coast province were at the long-term care home, Lynn Valley Centre in North Vancouver, where B.C.’s first four fatalities were recorded.
The third fatality of the day in B.C. involves a man in his 80s, who lives in the Fraser Health region.
The 83 new diagnoses is a record for the province for daily reported cases. On March 16, health officials reported 30 cases, to go along with three deaths.
The first death in B.C., and in Canada, was reported March 9.
Seven new cases in Manitoba
Date reported: March 17
Health officials in Manitoba have diagnosed seven new presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 15.
It’s the largest rise in daily reported cases for the province.
Two of the patients involve a man and a woman in their 60s from a community in the Southern Health Santé-Sud Health region.
Four of the cases are woman, between the ages of 40-60, who live in Winnipeg. The final case is a man in his 30s, also from Winnipeg.
Further information about how they contracted the disease, such as travel history, is pending.
Alberta sees another record surge
Date reported: March 17
Alberta health officials have reported 23 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 97.
It’s the highest increase in daily reported cases for the province, after announcing 18 cases on March 16; and 17 cases on March 15.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, made the announcement in person after she rested negative for COVID-19. She was in self-isolation a day prior.
Of the 97 cases, there are still five people who have been hospitalized, which includes two people in intensive care. The other 92 cases are expected to make a full recovery.
The news about the province’s 23 new cases comes after Alberta decided to declare of state of emergency, which will prohibit public events with more than 50 people. Restaurants and coffee shops can stay open as long there are no more than 50 people in the establishment at the same time, or 50 per cent of their capacity, whichever is lower.
The state of emergency was declared after recommendations from Hinshaw, since the province is dealing with potential community transmission. Of the 97 cases, there are six that will might involve community spread, while other cases are also currently under investigation.
“We are seeing a few more instances where community transmission is possible,” said Hinshaw in a press conference, while noting that they’re fighting “a war on two fronts.”
On March 14, potential community spread was first reported in Alberta when health authorities couldn’t identify the reason for transmission for two cases. A day later, health authorities confirmed that there was evidence of community transmission, with one case in the Edmonton zone and the other in Calgary.
Ontario records its first death, sees slower rise in cases
Date reported: March 17
A 77-year-old man in Ontario has died after contracting COVID-19, according to the Ministry of Health.
It marks Ontario’s first death relating to the virus and Canada’s fifth.
The patient was from the Muskoka, Ont., area and passed away at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ont. He is believed to have contracted COVID-19 through close contact with another infected patient.
A spokesperson for Ontario’s deputy premier and minister of health said the man was under investigation for the virus, but was not yet confirmed to have been infected. COVID-19 was discovered in the 77-year-old after he died, while a later investigation confirmed that it was the result of his passing.
All of Canada’s other four COVID-19 deaths were reported at a long-term care home in North Vancouver, the Lynn Valley Centre. The first was on March 9 and the other three were on March 16.
On March 17, Premier Doug Ford announced a state of emergency for Ontario before news broke of the 77-year-old man’s death in the province.
"We're facing an unprecedented time in our history. This is a decision that was not made lightly," said Ford. "COVID-19 constitutes a danger of major proportions...We must act decisively. We must not delay."
Following Ford’s announcement on March 17, more cases were also confirmed in Ontario.
In the morning, health authorities reported eight new cases, followed by four more cases in the afternoon, which includes the 77-year-old man. There are now 189 total cases in Ontario.
The twelve new cases is a significant decrease compared to earlier days.
All eleven of the remaining patients are in self-isolation. Five of the cases are from the Hamilton public health unit, while more information on the group has not been made available.
Two of the cases are from the Middlesex London public health unit. One of the involves a woman in her 20s, who recently travelled to the U.S. The other is a female in her 40s, who was recently in St. Maarten.
Another case involves a man in his 60s from the York public health unit, who recently travelled to Costa Rica.
The final three cases are from the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington public health unit. They involve a female in her 40s who was recently in Spain, a female in her 60s who was recently in Barbados, and a man in his 40s, who was in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Theresa Tam, the chief public health officer, said that officials are concerned about the increase of cases in Ontario, especially concerning three patients who are believed to have contracted the disease through community transmission.
Ontario has so far tested 11,171 people for COVID-19. There have been 189 positive results, which includes five resolved cases and one fatality. Health authorities are still investigating 1,567 individuals for the virus.
Later in the day, the Ottawa Senators also announced that a player on their NHL team tested positive for COVID-19. They did not announce which player, while it’s unclear if the individual is part of Ontario’s latest statistics.
One more Canadian tests positive at CFB Trenton
Date reported: March 16
There are now nine Canadians at the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ont., who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The latest patient is among the group of 228 Canadians who was repatriated on March 9, from the Grand Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined and docked off the coast of California after at least 20 passengers were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Passengers on the plane back to Canada were not allowed to board if they showed symptoms prior to departure. Public health officials have not provided more information on the latest patient.
Child diagnosed with COVID-19 in New Brunswick
Date reported: March 17
New Brunswick health officials have identified a presumptive case of COVID-19 in a boy under the age of 10.
It marks the province’s eighth case of the virus.
The boy lives in the central part of the province, and is linked to a previous travel-related case, but health officials did not specify which one.
As of March 17, the province has diagnosed two people with travel histories: a woman who recently returned from Greece and another woman who travelled to France.
Five other cases in New Brunswick have been linked to the woman who travelled to France.
Saskatchewan reports its eighth case
Date reported: March 17
An individual in their 50s has tested positive for COVID-19 in Regina, according to provincial health authorities.
The individual recently travelled to Vancouver, where they attended a dental conference, which has also been linked to the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta and British Columbia. The conference took place at the Vancouver Convention Centre between March 5 and March 7.
Of Saskatchewan’s eight cases, three have been traced back to the conference, where there was nearly 15,000 people.
Quebec sees biggest increase in daily cases
Date reported: March 17
There are now 74 cases of COVID-19 in Quebec after health officials announced another 24 diagnoses.
It’s the largest increase in daily reported cases in Quebec throughout the outbreak.
Of the newly reported patients, one is in Quebec City, six in Estrie, four in Montreal, three in Lanaudière, four in Laurentides, and three in Montérégie. There is one case who was diagnosed, but the patient is not a resident of Quebec. Regional information for two more cases has not yet been disclosed.
No further information about the 24 new cases, such as their age and reason for contracting the disease, has been available at the moment. But health officials in the province are currently investigating 2,949 people for the virus. So far, 4,778 tests have come back negative.
Newfoundland and Labrador reports second, third case
Date reported: March 17
Newfoundland and Labrador has diagnosed two more presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total number of cases to three.
The province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, says the woman and man live within the Labrador-Grenfell Health region, which covers Labrador and part of Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula.
The cases are linked to contact with the province’s first presumptive case announced on Saturday. The individual was recently on a cruise, but their exact travel history was not released because of privacy concerns.
Nova Scotia diagnosis two patients
Date reported: March 17
Two new presumptive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Nova Scotia, bringing the total number of cases to seven.
Both of the new cases are travel-related and connected to earlier patients. The newly affected individuals are in self-isolation and recovering at home, as secondary testing is being completed at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
Two new cases in Manitoba
Date reported: March 18
Health officials have reported two new presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number cases in Manitoba to 17.
One of patients is a woman in her 50s, and the other is a man in his 70s. Both live in Winnipeg, and are believed to have contracted the disease through recent travel. Health officials have not yet indicated their exact travel histories.
Of the 17 cases, 16 of them are related to international travel. One case is still being investigated by health officials to determine how the patient contracted the disease. There is also one patient who is in hospital with mild syptoms.
As of the last update, Manitoba has completed 2,912 tests for COVID-19.
Secondary tests to confirm the province’s presumptive cases are currently being completed at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
Alberta announces 22 new cases
Date reported: March 18
There are now 22 additional COVID-19 cases in Alberta, according to health officials.
The latest update brings the province’s total count to 119.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, said among Alberta’s 119 cases, six are believed to have contracted the disease through community transmission. Two are in Calgary and three in Edmonton, while one patient from the province’s north zone is also believed to have contracted the disease in Edmonton.
Of all the patients, six are in hospital, which includes three in intensive care: two people in their 60s, and one person in their 40s, who has preexisting medical conditions.
Provincial health authorities have also linked seven cases to a Vancouver dental conference, which took place between March 5 and March 7. The dental conference has been linked to cases in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Anyone who was in attendance at the conference, where there were nearly 15,000 people, is being asked to go into self-isolation.
Along with the positive diagnoses, Alberta has completed 14,447 negative COVID-19 tests. Hinshaw said they’ve tested about one person for ever 219 Albertans.
British Columbia records 45 new cases, brings Canada’s total to over 700
Date reported: March 18
There are now 231 cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia, after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced another 45 cases.
It brings Canada’s total to 701.
Among the new patients is a resident of Haro Park Centre, which is a long term care home in Vancouver.
Of B.C.’s 231 case, 13 are in hospital, while seven of those patients are in intensive care.
Henry did not report any recent fatalities, after reporting three deaths in each of the past two days.
Health minister Adrian Dix said around 17,000 people in British Columbia have been tested so far for COVID-19, while close to a million people have already used a self-assessment tool created by the province.
Saskatchewan doubles its number of cases, sees sign of community spread
Date reported: March 18
Health authorities in Saskatchewan have reported eight new presumptive cases, bringing their province’s total to 16.
Of the new patients, one of them appears to have contracted the disease through community transmission, meaning that they no recent travel history or close contact with someone who either has COVID-19 or has been to a highly infected area. Therefore, it’s unknown how they contracted the disease.
Health officials provided a breakdown of their eight newly reported cases:
An individual in their 30s was tested in Regina.
An individual in their 40s was tested following close contact with a previously announced case in Saskatchewan.
An individual in their 20s was tested in Saskatoon following travel in Tennessee.
An individual in their 20s was tested in Saskatoon following travel to Oregon, Nevada and Edmonton.
An individual was tested in Moose Jaw following their travel from Vancouver.
An individual was tested in Regina following their travel from Cancun, Mexico.
An individual was tested in Regina following their travel from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
An individual in their 40s was tested in Saskatoon following their travel from Vancouver.
Officials are asking that people who were on Sunwing flights WG540 and WG496 on March 14 to self-isolate, because they may been exposed to COVID-19.
Of the province’s 16 total cases, 15 are in self-isolation, while one is in hospital for medical reasons not related to COVID-19. Secondary results to confirm the province’s presumptive cases are currently being completed at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
Quebec reports its first death, 20 new cases
Date reported: March 18
Quebec health officials are reporting the province’s first COVID-19-related death, and Canada’s ninth.
Premier Francois Legault said the patient was an elderly person from the Lanaudière region, northeast of Montreal.
Horacio Arruda, Quebec’s director of public health, said the individual lived in a seniors residence, and had been in contact with people who had recently travelled.
A Facebook post by a family member has since helped identify the deceased as Mariette Tremblay, 82, from Lavaltrie in the Lanaudiere region.
In addition to the recent fatality, Quebec announced 20 new cases of COVID-19 on March 18, bringing their total case count to 94, which includes six people who are in hospital and four in intensive care.
Of the new 20 cases, five are in the Québec City region, nine in Estrie, two each in Montréal and Chaudière-Appalaches, and one each in Laurentides and Outaouais, which has just reported its first case.
No further information about the 20 new cases, such as the patients’ ages or reason for exposure to the virus, has been made available at the moment. But health officials in the province are currently investigating 3,627 people for the virus. So far, 5,213 tests have come back negative.
Quebec officials have also released a list of seven places, to go along with timeframes, where individuals in the province might have been exposed to COVID-19.
Three additional cases in New Brunswick
Date reported: March 18
New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s count to 11.
One of the cases involves a woman between 50 and 60 years old, who was recently on a cruise. Exact information about her travel history has not been made available, but health officials said she lives in southeast New Brunswick.
The second of the new cases is a man between 60 and 70 years old, who lives in central New Brunswick. He is believed to have contracted the disease through close contract with someone who recently travelled, but it’s not been disclosed where.
The third case is a woman between the ages of 50 and 60, who lives in central New Brunswick and recently travelled to the United Kingdom.
Russell is now asking citizens to stay home and practice social distancing.
“Now is not the time for house parties,” said Russell. “Stay home. It is not the time for teenagers to hang out with their friends.”
Five new cases in Nova Scotia
Date reported: March 18
Nova Scotia has reported its biggest rise to date in daily diagnoses, after health officials identified five more presumptive COVID-19 cases.
It brings the province’s total number of cases to 12.
Of the new cases, four are travel-related, while one is connected to an earlier case.
Specific information about the five new patients has yet to be made available, but the 12 patients in the province range in age from early 30s to mid-70s. They are all in self-isolation at home.
The cases are located across Nova Scotia. Northern Nova Scotia is the only region without a positive diagnosis.
Of the 12 cases, nine are still presumptive. Secondary tests are currently being completed at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
The province has also completed 1,141 negative COVID-19 tests.
Ontario first to report over 200 cases
Date reported: March 18
Ontario health officials have diagnosed 25 new patients with COVID-19, bringing their total case count to 214.
Ontario is the first province to report over 200 cases in Canada, which also brings the national count to over 600.
All of the 25 new patients are currently in self-isolation. Information is still pending for five of the cases, but the age demographic ranges from people in their 20s to 80s.
Five of the patients are believed to have contracted the disease through close contact with another infected individual. Three of those patients also have a recent travel history.
Destinations where infected individuals recently travelled include the Caribbean, the U.S., Brazil, Japan, Germany, Pakistan, Turkey, Mexico, India and Austria. There is one patient, a man in his 20s in the Peel public health unit, who is listed as having travelled to “Europe,” while also having had close contact with another infected individual.
The cases reside in pubic health units such as Niagara, Halton, York, Peel, Toronto, Waterloo, Hamilton, Ottawa, Middlesex London, Chatham Kent, Grey Bruce, Simcoe Muskoka, Brant and Algoma.
During an afternoon press conference, Toronto’s medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, said the city is now looking into 11 cases of community transmission. It’s an increase compared to the three cases that Toronto officials were investigating on March 17.
As of March 18, Ontario has tested 13,897 people for COVID-19. Of those tests, 10,305 of them have come back negative, while there are still 3,378 people under investigation. Among the 214 positive cases, five have been resolved, and one person has died.
British Columbia reports one more death, 40 new cases
Date reported: March 19
British Columbia has reported one more fatality related to the virus, to go along with 40 new cases.
It marks their eighth death, while bringing their total case count to 271.
The individual in B.C. was a resident of the Lynn Valley Centre, a long-term care in North Vancouver where six other fatalities related to COVID-19 have been recorded. The disease was first reported at the centre in a health care worker on March 5, who is believed to be Canada’s first case of community transmission.
Of B.C.’s case, 17 are in hospital, which includes nine people in intensive care.
“This is not optional,” said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, when referring to people who have not taken social-distancing seriously. “I want to be very clear that everybody needs to take these actions now. This is what’s going to protect us for the next few weeks – it’s going to protect ourselves, it’s going to protect our families.”
“Don’t have a play date,” she continued. “Don’t go out for coffee with your friend … This is not the time for those kinds of social interaction.”
The disease has been reported in each of B.C.’s five health regions, to go along with three Metro Vancouver seniors’ residences.
The most recent death brings Canada’s total to 12. Alberta reported its first on March 19, Ontario its second earlier in the day, and Quebec recorded its only fatality on March 18.
British Columbia health officials have tested 6,326 people as of March 19, according to the province’s public health website. It’s unclear how many people are still under investigation.
Alberta reports its firth death, most daily cases
Date reported: March 19
Health officials in Alberta have reported the province’s first fatality, to go along with 27 new cases.
The patient in Alberta was a man in his 60s in the Edmonton zone with underlying health conditions, who was admitted to hospital on March 12. He is believed to have contracted the virus through community transmission, said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health.
Health officials in Alberta have confirmed they have seven cases that were spread through community spread, while they’re currently investigating an eighth. It means that the patients’ cases can’t be linked to travel.
On March 19, officials also diagnosed 27 new cases of COVID-19, bringing Alberta’s total count to 146. It marks the highest rise in daily reported cases in the province.
According to Alberta’s public health website, the province has also completed 16,867 negative test for COVID-19.
Saskatchewan hits 20 cases
Date reported: March 19
Health authorities have diagnosed four new presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 20.
Three of the cases are linked to travel, while the fourth individual is believed to have contracted the virus through close contract with another infected patient.
Among the cases is Dr. Allan Woo, president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association, who tested positive for COVID-19 late March 18. In a statement, Woo said he believes he contracted the virus at an Edmonton curling bonspiel, held between March 11-14, which was attended by doctors from across Western Canada. Woo has been in self-isolation since March 17, when he first started to experience symptoms.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, said in a press conference that there were 72 curlers and 45 attendees at the event, which took place when gatherings of up to 250-people were allowed.
Hinshaw says they believe the person, who might have originally transmitted the virus at the bonspiel, was from Saskatchewan and had recently travelled to Las Vegas. Everyone in attendance is being asked to enter self-isolation.
Of Saskatchewan’s 20 cases, 19 are in self-isolation, while one is in hospital for an unrelated medical reason. As of March 19, the province has conducted 2,561 tests.
CFB Trenton reaches 10 cases
Date reported: March 19
One more case of COVID-19 has been reported at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) in Trenton, Ont., where Canadians are being held as part of a 14-day quarantine.
The individuals are among the group of 228 Canadians who were repatriated on March 9, from the Grand Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined and docked off the coast of California after at least 20 passengers were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Passengers on the plane back to Canada were not allowed to board if they showed symptoms prior to departure. Public health officials have not provided more information on the new patient.
P.E.I. diagnosis second case, brings Canada’s total to 800
Date reported: March 19
The government of Prince Edward Island has reported a second case of COVID-19. It brings the province’s count to two, while it also marks Canada’s 800th case.
Dr. Heather Morrison, the province’s chief health officer, said the patient is a man in his 40s from Queens County. He returned to P.E.I. on March 16, after visiting the United Kingdom.
The man is currently in self-isolation at home. People who were on Air Canada Flight 7564 from Toronto to Charlottetown on March 11, are also being asked to self-isolate because they may have been exposed to the disease.
As of March 19, the province has tested 213 people. To go along with the two positive cases, there have been 122 negative test results. The remaining individuals are still under investigation.
27 new cases in Quebec, first recovery
Date reported: March 19
Quebec health officials have reported their biggest rise in daily recorded cases with 27 new patients, bringing the province’s total to 121.
Quebec now join Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta with over 100 cases.
Along with their new patients, Quebec’s public health website has reported that one person in the province has also recovered from the virus. There are also seven people in hospital.
Of the new cases, two are in Québec City, eight in Estrie, four in Montreal, one each in Lanaudière and Laurentides, six in Montérégie, while both Bas-Saint-Laurent and Laval reported their first and only cases on March 19.
Regional information for three more cases has not yet been disclosed.
As of March 19, Quebec has completed 6,331 negative tests, while there are 3,997 people under investigation. Of the 121 confirmed cases, one person has recovered from the illness, and one person has passed away.
No further information about the 27 new cases, such as the patients’ ages or reason for exposure to the virus, has been made available at the moment.
Ontario sees record surge, reports second death
Date reported: March 19
A second person in Ontario has died after contracting COVID-19, according to Halton Region Public Health.
The most recent fatality in Ontario involves a man in his 50s with an underlying heart condition, who was treated at both Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and Milton District Hospital. Health officials in Halton Region believe the man contracted the disease through community transmission.
"At this time what we know is that the individual did not travel outside of Canada recently nor was he a contact of a known case of COVID-19," Dr Hamidah Meghani, Halton's Medical Officer of Health, said at a news conference on Thursday.
It marks Canada’s 10th fatality relating to the virus, with British Columbia reporting seven deaths and Quebec reporting its first on March 18.
The news comes after Ontario health officials diagnosed 43 new patients with COVID-19. In the evening, Ontario reported one more case, being the fatality, bringing their case count to 258.
It marks the highest number of daily reported cases in Ontario. On March 15, the province reported 42 cases.
The increase in cases may be due to the backlog in testing the province is currently experiencing, with it taking four days to complete a test.
Of the new cases, a lot of information is still pending on Ontario’s public health website. The patients currently range in age from their 20 to 80s.
There are at least 11 people who are in self-isolation among the new cases. A man in his 80s from Durham is currently hospitalized, while there are currently 22 people in Ontario who are in hospital with COVID-19, according to Dr. Barbara Yaffe, the province's associate chief medical officer of health.
The new group of 43 patients are from public health units such as Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, Halton, Peel, Hamilton, Toronto, Hamilton, Waterloo, Durham and Haliburton Kawartha.
Their travel histories include destinations such as Manila, Spain, Belgium, Canary Islands, Germany, Malta, the U.K., Finland, the U.S., San Juan and England. There is one individual who is listed as having travelled to “Europe” and two people who were on a “cruise.”
Four people are also believed to have contracted the disease through close contact, while three of those cases also involve travel.
As of March 18, Ontario has tested 16,650 people. Of those tests, 12,421 have come negative, while there are still 3,972 tests under investigation. Of Ontario’s confirmed cases, there are five that have been resolved, and two people have passed away after contracting COVID-19.
Late March 18, two other cases involving a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) worker and an employee at the Toyota Cambridge plant were also confirmed to have COVID-19 by their respective companies. It’s unclear if the two diagnoses are part of the 43 new cases reported by Ontario health officials.
The TTC reported that one of its employees tested positive for the virus late March 18. The individual is not a front-line worker, instead is part of the Duncan Shop, where rebuilds and overhauls take place.
“The employee worked one shift on March 11 after returning from travel and was sent home sick. They have not returned to work since,” wrote TTC CEO Rick Leary in a letter to the company.
An employee at the Toronto Cambridge plant has also tested positive for COVID-19. The employee worked their last shift March 12. Toyota was notified of the diagnosis by Hamilton Public Health on March 18. Earlier on Wednesday, Toyota already decided to suspend production across all their plants in North America until March 25.
Two new cases in Nova Scotia
Date reported: March 19
Two presumptive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Nova Scotia, according to a press release from provincial health officials.
Both cases are related to travel, but officials have not provided the destinations at the moment.
The two new cases bring the province’s total to 14. Of those cases, five have been confirmed by secondary results at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, while nine are still presumptive as further tests are being completed.
As of March 19, Northern Nova Scotia is the only region without a COVID-19 case in the province.
77 new cases in British Columbia, one death
Date reported: March 20
British Columbia health officials have reported 77 new cases, which raises their province’s total case count to 348.
One more death has also been reported at the Lynn Valley Centre, a long term care home in North Vancouver. It marks the ninth death in the province, and the eighth at that care home alone, where 36 residents and 18 health care workers have tested positive for the virus.
The most recent fatality brings Canada’s death toll to 13.
Of the province’s diagnoses, 200 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 95 in Fraser Health, 30 in Island Health, 19 in Interior Health and four in the Northern Health region.
Among the province’s 348 cases, 22 of them are in hospital, which includes 10 people in intensive care.
About two dozen health workers in B.C. have also tested positive for the virus, according to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. None of the health care workers have severe forms of the illness, but one of them is an employee at the Dufferin Care Centre in Coquitlam. It marks the fourth care home in Metro Vancouver to have a COVID-19 diagnosis.
As of March 20, the province has completed 17,912 tests for COVID-19, which has led to 348 positive diagnoses. There are now also six people who have recovered from the virus, according to Henry.
Alberta reports 49 new diagnoses, Canada hits 1,000 cases mark
Date reported: March 20
Health officials in Alberta have announced 49 new cases, bringing their province’s total to 195. It’s the largest daily increase in cases Alberta has reported since the start of the outbreak.
It also brings Canada’s case count to over 1,000.
Of the new cases, 11 of them may be the result of community transmission, since they can’t be linked to travel, said the province's chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw. All of the 11 cases are in the Edmonton and Calgary zones.
There are also 10 patients in hospital, which includes five in intensive care.
After reporting the province’s first death on March 19, Hinshaw said there have been no more fatalities. Instead, three people have since recovered from the virus.
As of March 20, Alberta health officials have also completed 20,165 negative COVID-19 tests.
Six new cases in Saskatchewan
Date reported: March 20
Health officials in Saskatchewan have diagnosed six more patients with COVID-19, bringing the province’s count to 26.
With the news, officials have now made it illegal to not go into mandatory self-isolation following international travel for 14 days or after coming into contact with someone who’s been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said that people who don’t follow the new measures under the Public Health Act could be arrested as part of the province’s state of emergency. Penalties could also include a $2,000 fine.
“I know that the vast majority of Saskatchewan people are taking their personal responsibility seriously and following this order,” said Moe. “But a few are not. This is not a suggestion. It is not a guideline. It is the law and it must be followed.”
The province’s six new cases involves a pair of individuals in their 20s, who were tested in Regina following recent travels. One of them returned from Mexico, and the other from the United States. A third individual is in their 50s, who was also tested in Regina after a trip to Jordan. Two people in their 60s were tested in Prince Albert after a trip to Arizona. The final patient is in their 60s, and was tested in Regina. It’s unclear at this moment how they contracted the disease.
On March 18, the province said they saw their first potential signs of community spread, as they were not able to identify the cause of infection for a patient who was also tested in Regina.
Of the province’s 26 total cases, 24 are self-isolating at home. Two are in hospital for medical reasons “not related to respiratory illness.” As of March 20, the province has also performed 3,093 tests for the virus.
18 new cases in Quebec
Date reported: March 20
Quebec’s total case count is up to 139, after health officials announced 18 new diagnoses.
Of the new cases, one was reported in both the Mauricie and Laurentides regions; three in Montreal; two in Montérégie; and one in Nord-du-Québec, which marks its first diagnosis.
Regional information for the 10 other cases has not yet been disclosed.
As of March 20, Quebec has also had 7,666 negative tests, while 2,403 people are still under investigation for the virus. Of the 139 confirmed cases, one person has since recovered and one person has died. Ten people in Quebec are hospitalized with the virus, which includes six in intensive care.
Newfoundland and Labrador reports one new case
Date reported: March 20
A presumptive case of COVID-19 has been diagnosed in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Eastern Health region, according to provincial health authorities.
The patient recently returned from a trip to Spain and is currently at home in self-isolation.
As of March 20, 791 people have been tested in Newfoundland and Labrador. There are also 300 people in self-isolation who are being monitored, said Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, the province's chief medical officer of health.
Nova Scotia hits 15 cases
Date reported: March 20
Health authorities in Nova Scotia have reported one new presumptive case, bringing the province’s total to 15.
The case is linked to travel, but authorities have not yet provided specifics.
As of March 19, Nova Scotia has had 1,546 negative COVID-19 tests, 10 presumptive cases and five confirmed. The presumptive cases are currently undergoing secondary tests at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
Ontario becomes first province to 300 cases after record surge
Date reported: March 20
Health officials in Ontario have reported 60 new cases, bringing their province’s total to 318.
It’s the most daily reported cases the province has recorded since the outbreak, and makes Ontario the first to diagnose over 300 patients. The news also brings Canada’s case count to over 900.
A lot of information about the patients is still pending on Ontario’s public health website.
There are at least 25 people who are in self-isolation. There are also two people in hospital, which includes a woman in her 50s from Durham, who is believed to have contracted the virus through close contact, and a man in his 70s from the Waterloo public health unit. Information of how he contracted the disease is still pending.
There are four people in a long-term care home in the Durham public health unit, but information of how they contracted the disease has not yet been made available. The patients include a man in his 60s, a man in his 70s, a woman in her 80s, and a woman in her 90s. In addition, there are three people from the Haliburton Kawartha public health unit, who are in isolation at a nursing home, who range in age from their 60s to 90s.
Of the information that’s available, the 60 patients range in age from their 20s to 90s. The cases are in public health units such as Hamilton, Peterborough, Durham, Haliburton Kawartha, Porcupine, Middlesex London, Hastings Prince Edward, Ottawa, Waterloo, Peel, Waterloo, Toronto, Durham and York.
There are at least nine people who are believed to have contracted the disease through close-contact with another patient. There are also 10 people who officials believe contracted the virus through recent travel, to destinations such as the U.S., Bahamans, Portugal and the Caribbean. There are three people who were on a cruise in the Caribbean, and two others who were on a cruise without a destination being listed by Ontario’s public health website.
As of March 20, Ontario has tested 19,511 people for COVID-19. Of those tests, 13,718 have come back negative, while there are still 5,475 that are under investigation. Of Ontario’s 318 confirmed cases, five are resolved, and two patients have passed away.
In a press conference later in the day, Toronto’s medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa says at this point, she is confident that there has also been community transmission in the city.
In addition, Toronto health authorities confirmed diagnoses in a paramedic, a person experiencing homelessness, and a resident part of a long-term care home, among their 161 cases. A guard at the city’s South Detention Centre also tested positive, which has forced the jail into a lockdown, according to the Toronto Star.
Two more positive tests at CFB Trenton
Date reported: March 20
Two diagnoses of COVID-19 have been reported at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) in Trenton, Ont., where Canadians are being held as part of a 14-day quarantine. It brings the total amount of cases at CFB Trenton to 12.
The individuals are among the group of 228 Canadians who were repatriated on March 9, from the Grand Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined and docked off the coast of California after at least 20 passengers were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Passengers on the plane back to Canada were not allowed to board if they showed symptoms prior to departure. Public health officials have not provided more information on the new patients, except that one of them is a close contact of a previously reported case.
Alberta surpasses 200 cases
Date reported: March 21
Health officials in Alberta have reported 31 new cases of COVID-19.
Among their 226 total cases, officials believe 16 of them are because of community spread, because they can’t be linked to travel. Community spread was first reported in the province March 14.
There are also 11 people in hospital, which includes six in intensive care. One of the cases is in a senior’s home, but officials have not identified which one.
Along with the 226 positive tests, health officials in the province have also completed 23,516 negative tests.
Saskatchewan diagnoses 18 new cases
Date reported: March 21
Health authorities in Saskatchewan have reported 18 new cases of COVID-19, bringing their province’s total to 44.
There are twelve new cases in Saskatoon, one in the central area (excluding Saskatoon), and five new cases in Regina.
Among the new cases is a doctor who works at the Rosthern Medical Clinic. In a Facebook post, Dr. Jesse Melle said he and his wife were diagnosed following a recent trip to Alberta.
Health authorities are still investigating one of the cases, but have said that 42 of their diagnoses are above the age of 20. One of them is in their late teens.
Of the 44 cases, there are also three that health officials have not been to identify the reason for transmission, such as travel or large social gatherings, which means they could be the result of community spread. Saskatchewan reported its first signs of community transmission on March 18.
Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province's chief medical health officer, also said in a press conference that of the 22 people from Saskatchewan who attended a curling bonspiel in Edmonton, 11 of them have tested positive. The first publicly reported case linked to the bonspiel was Dr. Allan Woo, president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association. The event was attended by doctors from across Western Canada.
As of March 21, health authorities in the province have performed 3,917 COVID-19 tests. Of their 44 tests, 19 are still presumptive. Secondary tests will now be performed at the Romanow Provincial Laboratory in Saskatchewan, instead of having to be completed at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
British Columbia diagnoses 76 new cases, reports one more death
Date reported: March 21
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced one more death and 76 new cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia, bringing the province’s count to 10 and 424, respectively.
The death occurred at the Lynn Valley Centre, a long term care home in North Vancouver where eight other people have died. COVID-19 was first detected in the long-term care home on March 5 in a health care worker, who is believed to be Canada’s first case of community transmission.
The 76 new diagnoses makes B.C. the first province to record over 400 cases. Among the patients, there are 230 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 126 in Fraser Health, 37 in Vancouver Island Health, 27 in Interior Health, and four in Northern Health.
Among all of B.C.’s 424 cases, 27 individuals are currently hospitalized, which includes 12 in intensive care. Among the cases are six individuals who have since recovered.
Henry said that older people have been most affected, but there has also been a cluster of people in their 30s and 40s who have contracted the disease, primarily health-care workers.
As of their last update, the province has completed 17,912 COVID-19 tests.
Newfoundland and Labrador diagnoses two more patients
Date reported: March 21
Two new cases have reported by health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador, bringing the province’s total to six.
According to provincial chief medical officer of health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, one of the cases involves a woman in the Central Health region, who recently returned from a cruise. Fitzgerald did not specify the exact destinations of the cruise.
The second case involves a woman from the Eastern Health region, who recently returned rom the United States.
Both women are now in self-isolation with mild symptoms.
As of March 21, Newfoundland and Labrador has tested 901 people. Of those people, there have been 895 negative tests, to go along with their six people positive cases. Three of those cases have been confirmed by the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, while the other three are awaiting secondary results.
There are also 330 people in self-isolation, according to health officials.
CFB Trenton diagnosis one more patient
Date reported: March 21
One more case of COVID-19 has been reported at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) in Trenton, Ont., where Canadians are being held as part of a 14-day quarantine. There are now 13 cases at CFB Trenton.
The individuals are among the group of 228 Canadians who were repatriated on March 9, from the Grand Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined and docked off the coast of California after at least 20 passengers were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Passengers on the plane back to Canada were not allowed to board if they showed symptoms prior to departure. Public health officials have not provided more information on the new patient.
New Brunswick identifies six new cases
Date reported: March 21
New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell has announced that there are six new cases of COVID-19 in the province.
It’s marks the most daily cases New Brunswick has reported since the start of the outbreak. It also brings their total case count to 17.
Of the cases, five of them are in the province’s south zone. Four of them were recently on a cruise, but their exact destinations have not been made available. The fifth person is a close contact of another case in New Brunswick. The five cases include two males and three females, between the ages of 20 and 70 years old.
The sixth case is located in New Brunswick’s central zone. It involves a female, between the ages of 50-60, who is a close contact of previously identified case.
As of March 21, the province has administered 771 tests. Of their 21 positive cases, eight are still presumptive and are currently ongoing secondary tests at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
Six more cases in Nova Scotia
Date reported: March 21
Health officials in Nova Scotia have identified six more cases of COVID-19, bringing their province’s total count to 21.
It’s marks the most daily cases Nova Scotia has reported since the start of the outbreak.
Each of the six new cases are related to travel, but health officials have not specified their exact travel destinations.
Among the cases, 20 are now recovering in self-isolation, while one is in hospital. However, their original case who was in hospital has since recovered.
Of the 21 patients, their ages range from their late teens to mid-70s.
As of March 21, Nova Scotia has had 1,826 negative COVID-19 test results, to go along with 12 presumptive cases and nine confirmed cases. The presumptive diagnoses are being confirmed by secondary tests at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
First case in the Northwest Territories
Date reported: March 21
An individual has tested positive for COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories, according to public health officials.
It marks the first positive diagnosis in the Northwest Territories.
According to a press release, the individual is recovering at home in Yellowknife, after recently travelling to British Columbia and Alberta. They developed symptoms three days after returning from their travels.
Before announcing the diagnosis, the territorial government said that they’ll be banning all non-essential travel into the Northwest Territories to limit the spread of COVID-19. Anyone who comes into the territory will also have to self-isolate for 14 days.
People who don’t follow the government’s directors could be fined up to $10,000 and face six months imprisonment, according to their news release.
Quebec records four more deaths, sees record surge in cases
Date reported: March 21
Quebec health officials have announced 42 new cases, to go along with four deaths.
The four patients were all living in the same seniors residence, said Premier François Legault.
It brings the province’s totals to five deaths and 181 COVID-19 diagnoses. The 42 new cases mark the largest daily increase Quebec has reported since the start of the outbreak.
Among the new cases, there is one each in the regions of Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean, Mauricie and Estrie. There are three in Québec City, 10 in Montreal, seven in Chaudière-Appalaches, four in Laurentians, five in Montérégie, and two each in Outaouais, Lanaudiere and Laval.
Regional information for four more cases has not yet been disclosed.
As of March 21, Quebec has also had 9,242 negative COVID-19 tests, while 1,512 people are still under investigation. Among the 181 confirmed cases are the five fatalities, and one person who has since recovered.
Officials are also urging people to take self-isolation measures more seriously, especially after the provincial cabinet met Friday in order to extend their public-health emergency. Police now have the power to enforce orders. On March 20, a woman in Quebec City was arrested because she not respecting orders to self-isolate, after testing positive for COVID-19.
Manitoba reports two new cases
Date reported: March 21
There are now 19 cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba, after two more diagnoses were announced by chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin.
The latest case involve two women, one in their 30s and the other in their 50s, who live in Winnipeg. Officials believe they contracted the disease while recently travelling, but they did not specify which destinations they visited.
It marks the first increase in cases in Manitoba in the past three days.
Ontario diagnoses 59 new cases, one more death
Date reported: March 21
One more fatality and 59 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ontario.
The death was reported by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit in Ontario, which marks the province’s third fatality.
The individual was a man in his 70s, who was a close contact of the province’s first COVID-19-related death. They were both treated at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ont.
There are now also 377 cases in Ontario, after health officials diagnosed 59 new patients with COVID-19. To go along with the news, there are now six people who have recovered from the virus in Ontario.
Among the new patients is a female under the age of 18, from the York public health unit. She is believed to have contracted the virus through close contact, and is now in self-isolation. The individual is one of five people who are listed as having contracted the disease through close contact with another COVID-19 patient.
The oldest case of the group is a woman in her 70s, who is from the York public health unit and believed to have contracted the disease through close contact. On Saturday, the City of Markham also confirmed that a resident in a long-term care home, Markhaven Home for Seniors, tested positive for the virus.
A lot of information about the new group of diagnoses is still pending on Ontario’s public health website. So far, health officials have indicated that the new cases are from public health units such as Hastings Prince Edward, Durham, Toronto, Simcoe Muskoka, York, Peel and Ottawa.
There are at least 13 people who are in self-isolation. One patient, a man in his 40s from the Simcoe Muskoka public health unit, is in hospital. He is believed to have contracted the virus through recent travel to England. He is one of nine people who recently travelled.
Travel histories among the group of 59 include the U.S., Germany, Ecuador, Germany, Austria, the Philippines and England. One person is also listed as having travelled to “Europe” as a whole, and one person to “London,” but it’s not clear whether it’s the city in Canada or England.
As of March 21, Ontario has tested 23,384 people. Of those tests, 15,768 have come back negative, while there are still 7,239 under investigation. To go go along with the six cases that have been resolved, two people in Ontario have passed away after contracting the virus.
Later in the day, the Ottawa Senators announced that a second player on their NHL team tested positive for COVID-19. They did not announce which player, while it’s unclear if the individual is part of Ontario’s latest statistics.
Yukon sees its first cases
Date reported: March 22
Two people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Yukon, marking the territory’s first cases.
The diagnoses involve a Whitehorse couple, who recently travelled to the U.S. to attend a convention. Yukon's chief medical health officer Dr. Brendan Hanley said they have both been self-isolating since they arrived back home, where they started to first experience symptoms.
As of March 22, the two patients have mild-cases and are still in self-isolation, as public health officials investigate anyone they may been exposed to the virus.
Alberta reports another 33 cases
Date reported: March 22
Alberta now has 259 cases of COVID-19 after announcing 33 new patients.
As of March 22, there are 164 cases in the Calgary zone, 60 cases in the Edmonton zone, 18 in the North, 10 in Central zone, and seven in the South. Of the 259 cases, 18 have been hospitalized, which includes seven patients in intensive care.
Officials didn’t hold a press conference Sunday, instead they announced the new diagnoses through a release. Therefore, they were not able to provide more details on the case.
As of March 22, Alberta health officials have also had 26,740 negative COVID-19 tests. Among their 259 positive tests are three people who have since recovered, and one person who has died after contracting COVID-19.
Manitoba reaches 20 diagnoses
Date reported: March 22
A man in his 40s from Winnipeg has tested positive for COVID-19, according to provincial health officials.
It brings Manitoba’s case count to 20. The individual is believed to have contracted the virus through recent travel. Despite not providing the individual’s exact travel destination, Manitoba has released a list of flights, where people may have been exposed to the virus. Departing destinations include Tokyo, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Manila, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Phoenix, among other places.
At the moment, health officials haven’t seen any evidence of community transmission.
As of March 22, about 3,600 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the province.
Saskatchewan surpasses 50 cases
Date reported: March 22
There are now 52 cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, after eight new patients were diagnosed.
All eight new cases have been confirmed by secondary testing at the Romanow Provincial Laboratory in Saskatchewan. It marks the first day that the province has been able to perform secondary testing; they’re still awaiting results for 19 presumptive cases that they sent days prior to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
Of the eight new cases, one is in the province’s north region, three in the south (excluding Regina), three in Saskatoon, and one in Regina. Saskatchewan health officials didn’t hold a media conference on Sunday to provide extra details on the eight cases.
As of March 22, the province has performed 4,336 tests for COVID-19.
Prince Edward Island reports third case
Date reported: March 22
A woman in her 20s from Queens County has been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison.
The woman recently returned from a trip to Spain, and arrived to Toronto on March 14. Two days later, she flew to Moncton on WestJet flight 3456, and then drove home to P.E.I., where she was tested for the virus.
Morrison says the woman is in self-isolation at home with mild symptoms. It marks the first case the province has reported since March 19.
As of March 22, P.E.I. has tested 390 people for COVID-19. To go along with the three positive tests, 231 have come back negative. The remaining test results are still pending.
Newfoundland and Labrador diagnoses three new cases
Date reported: March 22
Three new presumptive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Newfoundland and Labrador, bringing the province’s count to nine.
Two of them are related to international travel, while health authorities are still investigating the third case’s reason for transmission.
As of March 22, the province has tested 970 people, with 961 of them coming back as negative. None of Newfoundland and Labrador’s cases have been hospitalized thus far.
Quebec reaches 200 cases, retracts one death
Date reported: March 22
Premier François Legault said on Sunday that one the patients who they reported died on March 21, has tested negative for COVID-19. It brings the province’s death toll to four, and Canada’s to 18.
All four of Quebec’s deaths occurred at the same seniors residence in the town of Lavaltrie.
Quebec health officials have also diagnosed 38 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s count to 219. It makes Quebec the fourth province to eclipse 200 cases.
Of the province’s 38 new diagnoses, one is in the Laval region, two each in Mauricie and Outaouais, three each in Estrie and Laurentides, five in Montréal, six in Lanaudière, and 14 in Montérégie. The regional information is still under investigation for 2 cases.
Among the province’s total cases, there are 21 people in hospital, which includes 13 in intensive care, said Legault.
As of March 22, Quebec has seen 9,786 negative results, while there are still 2,063 under investigation. There is also one person who has since recovered from the virus.
Nova Scotia diagnosis seven new cases
Date reported: March 22
While enacting a state of emergency, officials in Nova Scotia also announced that are seven more presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the province.
It brings Nova Scotia’s total case count to 28.
All of the seven cases are linked to travel or close contact with another COVID-19 patient.
A lab at the QEII in Halifax is now capable of providing secondary testing to confirm the presumptive cases, meaning that they won’t have to be sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
Ontario reports three more deaths, joins B.C. with at least 400 cases
Date reported: March 22
To go along with three fatalities, Ontario health officials reported another 48 cases of COVID-19.
Late Sunday, health officials part of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit said a man in his 80s died after contracting COVID-19. He was admitted to Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Ont. on March 19, after “presenting with a high fever and influenza-like illness.”
The man was confirmed to have the virus a couple days later, but passed away March 22 with “pneumonia and COVID-19 listed as the cause of death,” according to a press release by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. Officials believe that the individual contracted the virus through community transmission, since he had “no travel history or contact with anyone confirmed to have COVID-19.”
A woman in her 70s from the York public health region has passed away, while it’s believed that she contracted the disease through recent travel. Officials have not indicated which destination she visited. The recent fatality also marks Ontario’s 425th case of COVID-19, as health officials recorded 48 new diagnoses on March 22.
Earlier in the day, Toronto Public Health reported the city’s first COVID-19-related death, involving a man in his 70s who recently travelled to the United Kingdom.
The three recent fatalities bring Ontario’s death toll to six, and Canada’s to 21.
The man was initially tested at a hospital in Toronto, and sent home to self-isolate. On March 14, he reported himself to Trillium Health Partners - Mississauga Hospital, where he stayed until he passed away March 21.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual who died this weekend,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health in a press release. “I'm asking everyone again to make every effort and take every opportunity to practice social distancing. Please stay home, stay safe and take care of each other.”
Ontario’s first and third fatalities involved men who were treated at a Barrie, Ont. hospital in the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. The second fatality was a man from Milton, Ont., which is part of Halton Region Public Health.
Out of Ontario’s 48 new cases on March 22, the province’s public health website only provided information on eight of the patients. They range in age from their 20s to 70s.
Six of them are in self-isolation, while the status is still pending for the seventh patient out of the 47 new diagnoses.
Of the cases, health officials only provided the reason for transmission for four of them. One involves a woman in her 20s from the Waterloo public health unit, who is believed to have contracted the virus through close contact with another patient. The second involves a man in his 50s from the Hamilton public health unit, who was recently on a cruise in the Caribbean. The third is a man in his 60s from the Windsor Essex public health unit, who travelled to the Caribbean. The fourth is the most recent fatality from the York Region.
Other public health units that have new cases include Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, Peel and Toronto.
Later in the day, Ottawa's medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches said that there are five confirmed cases of community transmission of COVID-19 in the nation’s capital. She also predicts that there could be as many as 4,000 people infected in Ottawa.
Among Ottawa’s cases, there is also one healthcare worker at the Ottawa Hospital who has tested positive. Toronto Public Health has also reported that at least 13 health care professionals have been diagnosed with COVID-19. They are among the 220 people who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the city, according to Toronto Public Health.
As of March 22, Ontario health officials have tested 26,420 people for COVID-19. Of those tests, 17,634 have come negative, while there are 8,361 people still under investigation. Among the confirmed cases, there are eight people who have recovered from the virus, and three people who have died.
