Canada Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update

Risk to Canadians

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada. Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available.

The risk to Canadian travellers abroad is generally low but will vary depending on the destination. The Public Health Agency of Canada is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in other countries. Please consult the destination page on travel.gc.ca for the latest travel advice.

It is important for all travellers to monitor their health when they return to Canada. While abroad, you may have come in contact with the novel coronavirus. PHAC asks that you monitor your health for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days after you arrive in Canada. If you have these symptoms, call the public health authority in the province or territory you are in to inform them. They will provide advice on what you should do.

The research and data on COVID-19 continues to grow and evolve. We will continue to adapt our advice for travellers based on the latest science available.

Refer to our frequently asked questions (FAQ) for more information.

How Canada is monitoring COVID-19

The health and safety of all Canadians is our top priority.

PHAC is working with provinces, territories and international partners, including the World Health Organization, to actively monitor the situation. Global efforts are focused on containment of the outbreak in China and the prevention of further spread.

Canada's Chief Public Health Officer of Canada is in close contact with provincial and territorial Chief Medical Officers of Health to ensure that any cases of COVID-19 occurring in Canada continue to be rapidly identified and managed in order to protect the health of Canadians.

Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory has implemented testing to diagnose COVID-19 from clinical specimens. The laboratory is working collaboratively with Canadian provincial public health laboratories to ensure there is additional testing capacity in multiple jurisdictions.

As of February 25, 2020, British Columbia and Ontario are able to confirm laboratory diagnostics for the virus that causes COVID-19. For all other provinces, their results undergo additional testing at the National Microbiology Laboratory to provide further confirmation of initial laboratory findings. Please refer to information from provinces and territories for further test result summaries.

As of February 29, 2020, the National Microbiology Laboratory has confirmed 485 negative cases and 13 positive cases of COVID-19.