2020 coronavirus pandemic in Canada

2020 coronavirus pandemic in Canada

Map of provinces and territories with confirmed or suspected cases (as of March 16)   No cases   1–9 cases   10–49 cases   50–99 cases   100+ cases
Map of provinces and territories with confirmed or suspected cases (as of March 16)   No cases   <10.0 cases per million   10.0–19.9 cases per million   20.0–29.9 cases per million   30.0+ cases per million
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	Canada
First case	Sunnybrook Hospital Toronto, Ontario
Arrival date	January 25, 2020 (1 month, 3 weeks and 1 day)
Origin	Wuhan, Hubei, China
Confirmed cases	598
Recovered	11
Deaths	8
Official website
canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection

The first case of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Canada during the 2019–20 worldwide pandemic was confirmed on January 25, 2020, when a man returned to Toronto after travelling in Wuhan, China. As of March 16, 2020, there have been 598 confirmed cases of Coronavirus reported in Canada, with eight deaths and 11 recoveries.

Most of those cases are in Ontario (189 cases, 1 death) and British Columbia (186 cases, 7 deaths). Confirmed or suspected cases have been reported in every province of Canada, but none to date from the three northern territories. Two cases were repatriated from the Grand Princess cruise ship. Up until March, all cases were linked to recent travel history to a country with a substantial number of Coronavirus cases. The first case of community transmission in Canada was confirmed in British Columbia on March 5, and Ontario announced on March 16 that there is "some evidence of community transmission".

Most provinces implemented school and daycare closures, prohibitions on large gatherings, as well as the closure of various leisure and entertainment venues in mid-March. As of March 14, Canada has recommended against international travel, and advised those returning to self-isolate for 14 days. On March 18, Canada will restrict entry into the country to those who are citizens or permanent residents, with exceptions (such as American citizens and the immediate families of Canadian citizens).

Timeline

COVID-19 cases in Canada  ()      Deaths        Recoveries        Active cases
Date			# of cases
2020-01-27		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	1(n.a.)
⋮		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	1(=)
2020-02-04		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	4(+300%)
2020-02-05		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	5(+25%)
2020-02-06		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	5(=)
2020-02-07		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	7(+40%)
⋮		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	7(=)
2020-02-17		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	8(+14%)
⋮		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	8(=)
2020-02-21		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	9(+12%)
⋮		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	9(=)
2020-02-24		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	10(+11%)
2020-02-25		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	11(+10%)
2020-02-26		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	11(=)
2020-02-27		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	13(+18%)
2020-02-28		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	14(+8%)
2020-02-29		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	20(+43%)
2020-03-01		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	24(+20%)
2020-03-02		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	27(+12%)
2020-03-03		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	30(+11%)
2020-03-04		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	34(+13%)
2020-03-05		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	47(+38%)
2020-03-06		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	54(+15%)
2020-03-07		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	60(+11%)
2020-03-08		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	67(+12%)
2020-03-09		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	78(+16%)
2020-03-10		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	96(+23%)
2020-03-11		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	117(+22%)
2020-03-12		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	157(+34%)
2020-03-13		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	196(+25%)
2020-03-14		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	250(+28%)
2020-03-15		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	324(+30%)
2020-03-16		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	425(+31%)
2020-03-17		​ ​ ​ ​ ​	569(+25%)
Sources:

New cases per day

January

On January 15, Canada activated its Emergency Operations Centre.

On January 17, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) implemented signage in the Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver airports to raise awareness of the virus, and had added a health screening question to the electronic kiosks for passengers arriving from central China. There are no direct flights from Wuhan to Canada.

On January 23, Minister of Health Patty Hajdu said that five or six people were being monitored for signs of the virus.

On January 25, Canada's first case was confirmed in a traveller who had flown to Toronto from Wuhan by way of Guangzhou. Canada issued a travel advisory against non-essential travel to China due to the outbreak, including a regional travel advisory to avoid all travel to the province of Hubei. Federal health officials stated that the risk in Canada was low. Final testing conducted at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba validated the presumptive confirmation on January 27.

On January 29, Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne announced that an aircraft would be sent to repatriate Canadians from the areas affected by the virus in China.

February

On February 2, the Canadian Armed Forces announced that it planned to charter a plane to assist in the evacuation of Canadian nationals still in Wuhan once given authorization by China, intending to fly them to CFB Trenton for repatriation and medical screenings. Only those that had entered the country with a Canadian passport would be allowed to take this flight. The first plane landed at CFB Trenton on February 7. On February 21, a chartered flight of 131 Canadians who were quarantined on the Diamond Princess after an outbreak on the cruise ship in Japan, and who all tested negative for the virus, were brought to CFB Trenton for additional screening before being transported by bus to the NAV Centre in Cornwall, Ontario to be quarantined.

On February 26, Hajdu recommended that citizens stockpile food and medication, noting that it was "good to be prepared because things can change quickly [in any emergency]." The recommendation faced criticism from politicians: Manitoba health minister Cameron Friesen and Ontario health minister Christine Elliott both felt that there was no need for such aggressive stockpiling, while Friesen also felt that there needed to be more coordination between the federal and provincial levels in terms of information regarding the outbreak. Conservative Party shadow minister Matt Jeneroux opined that the suggestion incited concern and was lacking in transparency. Health Canada's website recommended against such bulk purchases (as to not strain supply chains), and explained that having supplies on hand was to "ensure you do not need to leave your home at the peak of the outbreak or if you become ill."

March

Hajdu announced on March 6 that the federal government would offer $27 million in funding to 47 research groups at 19 universities, to develop means of managing the outbreak. Minister of Finance Bill Morneau stated that the next federal budget would include measures in response to the outbreak, including an increase to the risk adjustment provision.

On March 8, Champagne stated that at the request of the U.S. government, Canada had chartered a plane to evacuate the 237 citizens that were still aboard the cruise ship Grand Princess. They were quarantined at CFB Trenton for two weeks when the plane landed on March 10.

Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather announced on March 9 that he was undergoing self-isolation as a precautionary measure due to possible contact with a person at an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington. The next day, Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O'Regan stated that he was also in self-isolation while awaiting the results of a Coronavirus test. He had seen a doctor regarding a "persistent" head cold, who recommended testing, but was "not aware of contacting anyone infected". The test came back negative.

On March 11, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $1 billion response fund, including $500 million to go to provinces and territories, a $50 million contribution to the World Health Organization and an additional $275 million to fund Coronavirus research in Canada. Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages Mélanie Joly stated that she had been discussing means of mitigating the outbreak's impact on the air travel industry.

On March 12, after returning from a speaking engagement in London, England, Trudeau's wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for the virus. She and the Prime Minister went into self-isolation. The next day, Trudeau also announced that the federal government was preparing a stimulus package to address those affected by the pandemic.

On March 16, Trudeau announced that new entry restrictions would be implemented shortly after midnight ET on March 18, primarily restricting entry into the country to Canadian citizens and their immediate families, and permanent residents. Most international flights are being routed to Canada's major airports in order to enhance screening measures. Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne also announced that for citizens who are still abroad, the country would provide emergency loans of up to $5,000 to cover travel costs or basic needs until they are able to return.

Government response

Federal

Pandemic response planning

The federal government's pandemic response is based on two primary documents: the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness planning guidelines, which outlines risks and measures to address a viral disease, and the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness planning guidelines, which includes identifying, tracking, and ensuring rapid access to medical care. As of February 27, the response plan was at level 3 (escalated).

The federal government activated its Emergency Operations Centre on January 15.

Travel and entry restrictions

Canada has severely restricted its border access. As of March 18, Canada will only allow Canadian citizens and their immediate families, permanent residents, and U.S. citizens to enter the country. The only exceptions are flight crews, diplomats, and trade and commerce. International flights from outside the Caribbean, Mexico, and the U.S. will only be allowed to land at Calgary International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport.

All arrivals from outside Canada, except for essential workers (such as flight crew), will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days. No one showing symptoms will be allowed to board flights into Canada, regardless of their citizenship.

Governmental cancellations

A First Ministers' meeting scheduled for March 12 and 13 was cancelled after Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire self-isolated. Coronavirus was among the topics set to be discussed at the meeting with premiers and indigenous leaders.

The Canadian House of Commons was suspended between March 14 and April 20, immediately after passing the new North American free trade deal. The federal budget, previously scheduled for March 20, was also suspended.

Bank of Canada rate changes

The Bank of Canada has twice lowered its overnight rate target by 50 basis points, first to 1.25 percent, and then to 0.75 percent, citing the "negative shocks to Canada's economy arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent sharp drop in oil prices.

Public Service Disruptions

On March 16, the Treasury Board urged Federal public servants to work from home if possible. No date was provided for when this provision should end.

Provincial

Alberta

Main article: 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Alberta

On March 12, 2020, Alberta announced a ban on all meetings of more than 250 people. It also recommended against international travel, and requested that any Albertans returning from international travel self-isolate for fourteen days.

On March 13, 2020, the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench announced that all jury trials scheduled to begin after that date have been postponed. Jury trials which are in process will continue.

British Columbia

British Columbia health officer Bonnie Henry recommended against non-essential travel outside the province on March 12. This was followed the next day by a recommended self-quarantine of all travelers from outside the country, with the exception of health care workers. At this point, this restriction is not legally binding. BC also banned all gatherings of 50 people or more.

New Brunswick

On March 13, the provincial government announced that all New Brunswick schools would shut down until March 30. Day cares were not affected by the announcement at the time but are now closed, as of March 16th, 2020. On March 16th, the chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell recommended that all public spaces and certain business should close starting on March 17th, They also asking restaurant owners to limit the number of customers to 50 per cent of the capacity of their dining areas. Take-out orders, deliveries and drive-through services would be permitted. The government also announced that all non-essential government services to shut down until further notice.

Ontario

Ontario has announced it has a dedicated web page updated 3 times daily with the cumulative total and new cases. In addition, they have been making new releases as cases are confirmed, with their source whether they are due to travel history or close contact.

On 12 March 2020, the Government of Ontario announced publicly funded schools would be closed for an additional 2 weeks after March Break until 5 April.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in Ontario, Christine Elliott has been overseeing the emergency plan for the virus.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice announced a suspension of most criminal matters, including trials until the end of May.

On 17 March 2020, the Government of Ontario announced a Declaration of Emergency, closing down establishments such as libraries and child care centres and enacting a ban on public organized events above 50 people.

Quebec

On March 11, Premier Legault recommended that a 14-day quarantine be imposed on all students and faculty returning from school trips to countries strongly affected by the pandemic (such as China and Italy), even if there are no signs of symptoms, and the cancellation of upcoming trips to such locations. The same day, New Frontiers School Board stated that it had asked 18 students and two staff members of Howard S. Billings Regional High School — who had recently returned from a trip to Italy — to stay home from school until further notice. New Frontiers stated that this decision was a precautionary measure based on Legault's recommendation. A teacher from Kénogami Secondary School, and a teacher and a student from Arvida Multipurpose School who had also returned from Italy, were also asked to quarantine. The same day, Collège International Marie de France also suspended classes, pending the testing of a student who was suspected to have Coronavirus.

On March 12, Premier Legault announced that the province would take more stringent measures to control its spread, including a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 250 people, and that government workers returning from international travel, including teachers, would be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon return. Legault advised residents that show flu-like symptoms, or have recently returned from international travel, to also do so.

On March 13, a large number of precautionary cancellations and closures began to emerge across the province, including both Montreal and Quebec City's St. Patrick's Day parades (the former for the first time in its 196-year history), all public events of the province's ruling Coalition Avenir Québec party, all Montreal Symphony Orchestra concerts scheduled through April 5 (including a planned performance at New York City's Carnegie Hall), and all Grand Théâtre de Québec events through March 29. Mayor of Montreal Valérie Plante announced the closure of public facilities effective March 13, such as arenas, libraries, sports facilities, and swimming pools, as well as the Montreal Botanical Garden and Planétarium de Montréal.

On March 14, Legault announced that Quebec would prohibit visits to long-term care facilities and hospitals, and advised those 70 and over to avoid leaving their homes. Later that day, the government announced that it would offer free emergency childcare services for people working in essential services, with up to 60,000 spots available, using the up to 400 schools that the government had closed. By the evening of March 14, it was reported that the city of Montreal would be dispatching employees to Montréal–Trudeau International Airport to advise travellers arriving from international destinations to self-quarantine for 14 days, frustrated with inaction from the federal government, which is responsible for the airport.

Further restrictions were announced by Premier Legault on March 15, who ordered the closure of various leisure and entertainment venues, including but not limited to bars, cinemas, gyms, pools, and ski hills. Restaurants were also ordered to reduce their capacity by half and enforce social distancing.

Saskatchewan

Citing concerns over the potential of an impending outbreak in the province, Premier Scott Moe announced on March 12 that he would not pursue a snap provincial election. Saskatchewan's next general election is scheduled for October 26, 2020.

On March 13, 2020, following the second presumptive case in the province, its government announced restrictions on gatherings of more than 250 people in contiguous indoor space, as well as gatherings of more than 50 people if they include participants who had recently travelled internationally. Exceptions are permitted for retail shops. An exception for faith-based organizations was removed March 16.

As an employer, the government of Saskatchewan has sharply reduced inter-provincial and international travel on government business by any provincial employees. It has also provided that provincial employees who have travelled outside the country, whether on government business or personal travel, must self-isolate for fourteen days upon their return.

Schools and universities

Notice of school closure at a high school in Markham, Ontario

Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Quebec and Saskatchewan have closed schools for extended periods.

On March 12, the Ontario government announced that all public schools will be closed from March 14 to April 5, for two weeks after the March break.

On March 12, Laurentian University suspended classes and moved to online instruction. This was then followed by many universities in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba voluntarily cancelling classes and moving online. In British Columbia, the ban on gatherings of 250 people or more has resulted in the cancellation of in-person classes with more than 250 students.

On March 13, the Manitoba Minister of Education announced that all schools will be closed for three weeks beginning March 23 (an extra week before and after Spring break). All after-school activities will be cancelled for the week leading up to the shutdown.

In Quebec, many public and private schools announced that they would voluntarily close on March 13. On March 13, Premier Legault ordered the closure of all daycares, schools, and post-secondary institutions in the province for two weeks beginning March 16.

On March 15, Alberta ordered, until further notice, all daycares to close, all K-12 schools to suspend classes and close to students, and all post-secondary institutions to suspend in-person classes and switch to online classes. Grade 12 diploma exams will still occur.

In Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan voluntarily suspended in-person classes on March 16, and will switch to online courses for the remainder of the semester. On March 16, the province announced that all public schools will "wind down" over the week, and close indefinitely on March 20. No academic penalties will be issued for students that do not attend school during the week of March 20, final grades will be issued based on existing progress, and eligible Grade 12 students will be able to graduate.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial University announced that classes would be suspended from March 18–22, 2020, and continue without in-person classes thereafter. On March 16, the province announced that all schools, early childhood education centres and regulated daycare centres are closing.

The University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Trinity Western University, and University of Victoria all announced they were completing their semesters online.

Private sector

Panic buying: empty toilet paper shelves on March 12, 2020 at an Atlantic Superstore in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Stock market

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) was affected strongly by the 2020 stock market crash, with an overall 12% decline on March 12 of the S&P/TSX Composite Index, its biggest single-day decline since 1940, twice triggering market circuit breakers. The week of March 9–13 was the TSX's worst week on record. The fall, which capped two weeks of steady declines, was exacerbated by an oil output war between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index lost another 10% on March 16, causing trading to halt a 3rd time in a span of eight days. The index closed at 12,360.40 points on March 16th, down over 30% from before the crash at 17,944 recorded on February 20th.

Layoffs

WestJet has frozen all hiring and is offering voluntary departure packages to employees, with the goal of cutting 12% of its total capacity.

Business practices

Air Canada and WestJet have cancelled most flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Rome; and cut back on flights to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul, with WestJet announcing on March 16 that all international flights, including to the US, will be suspended by March 22.

Multiple fast casual restaurants, including Starbucks and Tim Hortons, have suspended the allowable use of reusable cups by patrons. Tim Hortons simultaneously altered its popular "Roll Up the Rim to Win" promotion to a digital-only model (the chain had already announced its intent to increase its use of digital components for the promotion in an effort to combat litter).

Both Starbucks and Tim Hortons subsequently announced on March 15 and 16 respectively, that they would both suspend in-store dining and seating.

The major movie theatre chains Cineplex Entertainment and Landmark initially restricted the capacity of their individual cinema auditoriums by half (with Landmark using its reserved seating systems to also enforce social distancing, and enforcing a single use of each disposable cup or popcorn bag by using new ones for refills). On March 16, both chains announced that all locations will be closed until further notice, with Cineplex targeting an April 2 reopening.

Event cancellations

See also: List of major events affected by the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic

Most cancellations occurred on or after March 12, when several provinces implemented bans on gatherings of 250 or more people.

Arts

• 2020 Juno Awards presentation, scheduled to have been at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon on March 15
• 8th Canadian Screen Awards, originally planned to be held in Toronto on March 29
• 15th Canadian Folk Music Awards, slated to be held in Charlottetown the weekend of April 3 and 4
• Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, originally planned in Toronto from April 30 to May 10, has been postoned
• CBC Radio's Canada Reads, scheduled for the week of March 16, was postponed.
• Canada's National museums in Ottawa cancelled all scheduled events and exhibits, and closed indefinitely on March 14, 2020.
• Montreal's Festival international du film sur l'art announced that its 38th edition will be presented online.

Almost all local museums, art galleries, theatres, and other performance venues across the country have closed indefinitely.

Business

• Shopify cancelled its Shopify Unite conference, which was scheduled to occur from May 6 to 9 in Toronto.

Sports

All professional and university sports leagues with Canadian teams have suspended their seasons from March 13 onward. This includes the NHL, the Canadian Hockey League. Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League, USports ice hockey, the NBA, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League, the Canadian Soccer Association, and the CONCACAF Champions League.

Cancelled international sports events in Canada include the 2020 World Women's Curling Championship (originally scheduled to be held from March 14 to 22 in Prince George), the 2020 World Figure Skating Championships (March 16 to 22, Montreal), as well as the 2020 Women's Ice Hockey World Championships (March 31 to April 10, Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia). Cancelled national competitions include the 2020 Arctic Winter Games (March 15 to 21, Whitehorse) and Nordiq Canada's Canadian Ski Championships (March 25 to April 2, Vernon, British Columbia).

Three upcoming national team matches that were scheduled to be played in British Columbia were cancelled: two senior men's international friendlies on March 27 and 31 in Langford, and a senior women's international friendly on April 14 in Vancouver.

CBC Television responded to the suspension of NHL play by replacing its weekly broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada with a Saturday night lineup of Canadian films, Movie Night in Canada.

Tourism

Multiple tourist attractions announced closures starting March 14.

All Ontario and Quebec casinos are closed. Great Canadian Gaming has additionally closed its casinos outside of Ontario (10 in BC, 3 in the Atlantic). Saskatchewan's Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw are closed. Atlantic Lottery and Loto-Québec suspended and disabled their video lottery terminals starting March 16.

Cases by province

COVID-19 cases in Canada by province ()

Date	New cases											Total confirmed	Cumulative	Sources
	Western				Central		Atlantic				GP
	BC	AB	SK	MB	ON	QC	NB	PE	NS	NL
Jan 25					1							1	1
Jan 28	1											1	2
Feb 4					2							2	4
Feb 5	1											1	5
Feb 7	2											2	7
Feb 17	1											1	8
Feb 21	1											1	9
Feb 24					1							1	10
Feb 25	1											1	11
Feb 27					2							2	13
Feb 28						1						1	14
Feb 29	1				5							6	20
Mar 1					4							4	24
Mar 2					3							3	27
Mar 3	1				2							3	30
Mar 4	4											4	34
Mar 5	8	1			3	1						13	47
Mar 6		1			5	1						7	54
Mar 7	6											6	60
Mar 8		2			4	1						7	67
Mar 9	5	3			3							11	78
Mar 10	7	7			1	3						18	96
Mar 11	7	5			6	1	1				1	21	117
Mar 12	7	4		3	17	9						40	157
Mar 13	11	6		1	20						1	39	196
Mar 14	9	10	1		24	7		1			2	54	250
Mar 15		17			42	15						74	324
Mar 16	30	18	1	3	32	11	1		1		4	101	425
Mar 17	83	23		1	12	24					1	144	569
Total confirmed	186	97	2	8	189	74	2	1	1	0	8	569 confirmed cases
Presumptive cases			6	7			6		6	3		+ 28 presumptive cases
Provincial sources	BC	AB	SK	MB	ON	QC	NB	PE	NS	NL	GP	597 total cases
	Western				Central		Atlantic

Alberta

Main article: 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Alberta

As of March 15, Alberta has reported 56 cases, and has completed 10,524 tests. The first case was a tourist who was repatriated from the Grand Princess to Calgary. As of March 16, cases have been reported in every Alberta zone. Community transmission was first reported on March 15, but is so far limited to seven people, six of whom attended the Pacific Dental Conference held from March 5 to 7 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. By March 17, there are 23 new cases representing the "largest day-over-day increase yet in the province" resulting in total of 97 people in Alberta with the virus.

British Columbia

Main article: 2020 coronavirus pandemic in British Columbia

As of March 17, British Columbia has reported 186 cases and 7 deaths. Sixty-five cases have been linked to international travel, while eight are community cases. In total, 6326 tests have been performed in British Columbia.

The first case in British Columbia was reported on January 28. The person had returned from Wuhan and began experiencing symptoms on January 26. The first case in BC's interior was reported on February 14. The person had recently returned from China. The first case in the Fraser Health region was reported on February 20. This was also the first BC case where the person had traveled to/from Iran.

The first two cases in the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver were reported on March 7. One resident and one staff member were diagnosed. The staff member is now thought to be Canada's first case of community transmission. This care centre became Canada's worst outbreak, with 16 cases to date, and may be linked to subsequent cases in another seniors' home and a hospital in North Vancouver.

On March 9, the Lynn Valley outbreak resulted in the first Coronavirus death in Canada, by a man in his 80s with pre-existing health conditions. Three more deaths at the centre were reported on March 16. An additional 2 deaths were reported at the centre on March 17. A seventh death was reported to have occurred "in [a] hospital in the Fraser Health region".

BC's first two cases linked to the Grand Princess were also reported on March 7. They were hospitalized.

Manitoba

As of March 15, Manitoba has reported 7 cases, with the first three reported on March 12. All cases have been linked to international travel. All of Winnipeg's cases were identified after March 12. In total, 403 people have been tested in Manitoba. The rate of testing was increased to more than 500 tests a day on March 14.

In Manitoba's first case, the person had returned to Winnipeg from the Philippines, and self-isolated at home. All subsequent cases were found in Winnipeg.

New Brunswick

Main article: 2020 coronavirus pandemic in New Brunswick

As of March 17, New Brunswick has reported eight cases, 2 confirmed, and 6 presumptive, with the first one reported on March 11. An additional 196 tests came out negative.

In New Brunswick's first case, the person had returned to southeastern New Brunswick from France, and self-isolated at home. The second case was a close contact.

On March 15, the province reported four more presumptive cases in the central part of the province.

On March 16, New Brunswick confirmed one more case, and announced one more presumptive case, making 2 confirmed cases and 5 presumptive in total.

On March 17, an eighth case was announced. This is the first child in the province to become infected.

Newfoundland and Labrador

On March 14, a presumptive case was announced in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Nova Scotia

On March 15, 2020, three presumptive cases in Nova Scotia were announced. All three were travel-related.

Ontario

Main article: 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Ontario

As of March 17, 2020, Ontario has reported 189 cases—including the first case in Canada—and 5 recoveries, and 1 death. Most cases to date have been linked to international travel, including local conferences with international attendees, however at least three cases are being investigated for community transmission. In total, 9415 persons have tested negative, while 1567 continue to be investigated.

The first case in Canada, was reported on January 25 in Toronto. The person had recently returned from Wuhan, China, and had taken precautions in returning. After admission to hospital, the person made a full recovery by February 23. Further cases imported from other countries were reported later in February, with the first case from Iran reported on February 26, Egypt on February 27, Grand Princess Cruise on March 7, the United States on March 7, France and Germany on March 8, Switzerland on March 10, and Austria on March 11.

On March 12, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, the wife of Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau, became Canada's first UK-linked case. Both she and the prime minister started self-isolation.

On March 17, the Government of Ontario declared a state of emergency requiring all libraries, private schools, child care centres, concert venues, movie theatres, bars and restaurants that don't offer take out and delivery services, to close immediately. This included prohibition of all public events of over 50 people. On the same day, it was announced that a man in his 70s, who had died in Barrie, was the first death in Ontario as a result of COVID-19.

Prince Edward Island

On March 14, 2020, the first confirmed case in Prince Edward Island was announced, a woman in her 50s who had returned from a trip on a cruise ship on March 7.

Quebec

The province confirmed its first case on February 28—a 41-year-old woman from Montreal who had returned from Iran on the 24th on a flight from Doha, Qatar. She was transferred to Jewish General Hospital on March 3, and released on March 4; since then, she has remained in isolation at her home in Verdun. On March 5, the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced a second presumptive case, involving a man who had travelled to India in February, and was being treated in Mont-Laurier for symptoms similar to coronavirus. On March 4, the person was transferred to Jewish General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. Hours afterwards, a third presumptive case was confirmed, involving a woman who had returned from France on March 3.

A fourth case was confirmed March 8, involving a woman from Montérégie, Longueuil who had recently returned from a cruise that had visited Mexico. On March 10, authorities stated that the person had used public transit between February 24 and March 6, and had went through the Berri-UQAM, Champ-de-Mars, and Longueuil metro stations. Premier François Legault initially classified the threat posed by the virus as being "weak".

On March 9, a Montreal resident who had recently returned from Ireland was reported as a fifth presumptive case. Four new cases were confirmed on March 11, including one who had returned from Caribbean and Miami, a man that had returned from the Dominican Republic, a person who had returned from Italy, and a resident of Montreal who had returned from international travel.

By March 17, 74 confirmed cases had been reported in Quebec.

Saskatchewan

On March 12, Saskatchewan's chief medical officer Saqib Shahab announced the first presumptive case of Coronavirus in the province, a person in their 60s that had recently returned from Egypt, who was tested on March 9, and was in self-isolation at their home. Later that day, a Saskatoon fire station was quarantined after one of its engines responded to a medical call by a person that had been undergoing Coronavirus testing. Saskatchewan announced a second presumptive case on March 13, involving a man in his 60s who had returned from the U.S. state of Oregon.

On March 14, the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority reported a suspected case in the north-eastern community of Southend, Saskatchewan, identified as a person in their 30s with a "travel history". The government confirmed this case later that day. The same day, three new suspected cases were announced in Regina: a person who had recently attended a dental convention in Vancouver where a confirmed carrier was present, and a second person from the same household. The third new case was a person who had returned from Tennessee. At this time, the Saskatchewan Health Authority began to advise 14 days self-isolation for those returning from any travel outside of Canada, 14 days self-monitoring following interprovincial travel, and against non-essential international travel.

External links

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update Health Canada
• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/public-health-measures-mitigate-covid-19.html
• Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases and historical data by Johns Hopkins University
• Map of COVID-19 cases in Canada at a regional level and related closures
• Map of Coronavirus COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in Canada by Empower Health (empower.ca / iamsick.ca)
• CoronaMapper – Map with several updated statistics
• Covid Canada – Bar graph of per province stats and live news feed