Second presumptive coronavirus case in Toronto less severe than first

Health officials in Ontario say that this morning’s announcement concerning the second case of coronavirus in Toronto isn’t surprising.

On Monday morning, the Government of Ontario confirmed that the wife of the province’s first case of the Wuhan novel coronavirus has tested positive for the virus.

They also confirmed that since arriving in Toronto with her husband, she has been in self-isolation.

Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, said the new second case is less severe, and the new patient did not need the same level of acute care as her husband.

She is “recovering and is currently doing well” at home, according to Toronto Public Health.

The husband also continues to recover in hospital. Both the man and woman are in their mid-50s, said health officials.

The province said that there are currently 19 cases under investigation, and that they have ruled out 16 patients at this time.

Government of Ontario

“We are not surprised to learn of a further case as we have a very mobile population, with lots of travel back and forth between Canada and China,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health. “However, I want to remind residents that at this time the risk to our community remains low. We appreciate that many people have questions, however, we continue to ask that people respect these people’s privacy as they recover.”

On Saturday, the provincial government confirmed its first presumptive case of coronavirus at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital.

According to the province, on Thursday, January 23, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre admitted a patient brought in by paramedics who had a fever and respiratory symptoms.

They say the patient, a man in his 50s, was screened and recent travel history to Wuhan, China, was confirmed and the patient was immediately put under isolation.

Toronto Public Health said that the man and woman recently returned from Wuhan/China on China Southern Airlines flight CZ311, which arrived in Toronto on January 22 from Guangzhou.

Over the weekend, the province launched a website dedicated to coronavirus in Ontario.

Symptoms of the illness include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, and most cases have been linked to the Huanan Seafood Market (also known as Wuhan South China Seafood City and South China Seafood Wholesale Market), according to the Government of Canada.

Some cases, however, have not been linked to the market, and the virus’ source is still unknown. The seafood market has reportedly been closed since January 1 for cleaning and disinfection.