Chief of Medical Staff for Quinte Health Care Dr. Colin MacPherson (Photo: Quinte News)
The management of Quinte Health Care want you to know that they are very aware and also very prepared for the Novel Coronavirus should it ever show in one its hospitals.
But QHC also stresses that people shouldn’t worry a lot about it as the risk of the virus appearing locally is very low.
“When it comes to the worldwide situation regarding Novel Coronavirus the World Health Organization hasn’t even declared it an emergency yet. Almost all of the people stricken with the disease are in a certain part of China. Only about 60 cases have been discovered outside of China and only 3 confirmed cases in all of Canada”, said Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Colin MacPherson.
“We are already dealing with the usual outbreak of influenza now and we are already taking special precautions and we are asking questions to find out more about where the patient is from or may have come from. We are aware and prepared but it seems all of the media and social media communication regarding the new virus has created more anxiety in the general public than is necessary. And remember, most people are recovering from the illness.”
President of Quinte Health Care Mary Clare Egberts added that “every year some 3,500 Canadians die from the flu. That’s our main concern but rest assured we’re ready for the new virus and will closely with the Hastings Prince Edward Health Unit should it show in this region.”
