Canadians returning from China to be quarantined at CFB Trenton

Quinte residents are being told there is no risk to public safety while at least 325 Canadians are quarantined at 8 Wing CFB Trenton for two weeks upon their return from China this week.

The Canadian government announced its plan today, to assist Canadians affected by the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China. They will be housed at Canadian Forces Base Trenton under quarantine and observation for 14 days.

Neil Ellis, Bay of Quinte MP, say Canada, and CFB Trenton are prepared.

“The government of Canada has been working closely with provincial and territorial counterparts, and international partners, since China first reported 2019-nCoV cases to ensure that our country is prepared to limit the spread of 2019-nCoV in Canada.

“Canadian hospitals have strong infection control systems and procedures in place to limit the spread of infection and protect health care workers.”

Ellis said measures to mitigate the risk of introduction and spread of diseases like the new coronavirus in Canada are in place, including messaging on arrival screens at the Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver international airports reminding travelers to inform a Border Services Officer if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, and an additional health screening question on electronic kiosks used by international travelers. Individuals who are displaying symptoms will not be allowed on the plane back to Canada.

Individual passengers will be screened before boarding the plane in Wuhan, they will be monitored during the flight, and they will be screened again upon arrival in Canada.

All flight crew, pilots, DND and medical staff will be equipped with protective gear.
In final preparation of arrival, public health officials and DND personnel underwent a dry-run at CFB Trenton Monday to ensure that all systems and procedures are functioning properly.

Extensive preventative and precautionary measures will take place, from the time before individuals arrive at the airport in Wuhan, to the time they arrive at CFB Trenton, and throughout their 14-day stay:
• All individuals will be screened and assessed by Chinese medical professionals prior to arriving at the airport to depart on the flight from Wuhan, to Ontario.
• All individuals will be screened and assessed by health care professionals prior to boarding the aircraft, during the flight, and upon landing.
• If anyone develops any problematic symptoms while in the air, they will immediately be put in quarantine on the aircraft, until they can be transported to a health facility upon landing.
• The aircraft will land in Vancouver, British Columbia, for refueling – nobody will leave the plane.
Upon arrival at CFB Trenton, all passengers, flight crew, and staff will be processed immediately, and directly by the Canada Boarder Services Agency (CBSA).
• All individual passengers and crew members will remain in individual quarantine at CFB Trenton for at least 14 days, and extensive medical screening and observation will take place during this time before anyone is released.

There are currently four confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Canada – three in Ontario and one in British Columbia.

Patients are reported to be isolated, stable and recovering.