There are no confirmed cases in Windsor-Essex, but Windsor Regional Hospital has established a line of defence against the Chinese coronavirus.
Following confirmation by provincial health officials on Monday of a second case of the sickness in Ontario, the hospital has passed along updated procedures for staff to follow should the need arise.
"We have had regular contact with Local Public Health, EMS and other healthcare providers to ensure we are all ready to deal with any probable cases and to protect staff and other patients," read the statement. "We have updated our JOHS [Joint Occupational Health and Safety] committee members and Union Executives today as well."
The Ontario government confirmed that the second case in Ontario is the spouse of the first case, a man in his 50s who had just returned to Canada from China. The woman has been placed in self-isolation and authorities are trying to track down the 30 or so passengers seated near them.
Windsor Regional Hospital said staff have worked diligently on patient screening and taking care of any issues that arise.
If a patient reveals they have either travelled to Wuhan, China or been in contact with an ill person who has gone there, an isolation protocol would be undertaken, according to the hospital. The patient will be placed in an airborne infection isolation room or a private room if one is not available. Staff tending to the patient will be required to wear gloves, masks and take other precautions.
The BBC reported Monday night that there were over 4,500 confirmed cases in China, with 106 deaths. No deaths have been reported outside of China.
