Ontario confirms 2 more coronavirus cases

Ontario confirmed Tuesday it has two more cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total provincial count to 20.

There are now 17 positive patients and 3 resolved cases, according to the provincial Ministry of Health.

All three of those people have had "two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart," saidDr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health.

Health officials said the two new patients are in self-isolation. One can be linked to travel to Egypt the other, to travel to Iran.

In a newsrelease, the Ministry of Health confirmed that one of the new cases stems from a womanin her 70s whois from York Region and has atravel history to Egypt.

She arrived in Toronto on Feb20 andpresented herself to Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital on March 1.

Health officials say the hospital took all necessary precautions and followed standard operating procedures, including testing and assessment.

The second new case stems from amale in his 50s who returned from Iran on Feb25 andpresented himself to North York General Hospital's emergency department on Feb29.

Both patients were assessed, discharged home the same day, and remainin self-isolation, says the Ministry of Health.

Health officials say theappropriate local public health units in Toronto and York Regionare actively engaged in contact tracing and case management of the two new patients.

Amidst growing concerns over coronavirus, Williams says all health protocols have been followed and risk of infection to Ontarians remains low.

More than 1,100 people have been tested for the virus in Ontario so far, with 1,061 samples coming back negative.

Meanwhile, management at a Scarborough condo tower saidit is scrubbing common areas of the property with disinfectant after a security guard there tested positive for the coronavirus.

A statement posted to residents at 4091 and 4101 Sheppard Ave.E.from York Condominium Corp.saida man who worksinthe building returned from an overseas trip on Feb. 23.

"He was working onsite at the condominium for portions of last week before the diagnosis," the statement read.

The corporation said it isalso increasing cleaning operations in the building's lobbies, elevators and offices, as well as the laundry and party rooms.

City working 'non-stop' on preparedness, Tory says

Toronto Mayor John Tory said public health officials have been working "non-stop" to ensure they are ready for an increase in cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. He urged residents not topanic, saying they shouldknow the city is preparing.

"Through public education, awareness and preparation we are keeping the safety and health of our residents a top priority," Tory said viaTwitter on Tuesday.

Threenew cases were confirmed in Ontario on Monday. All of them are people who had recently travelled to Iran or Egypt, or family members of those who had visited the countries.

As a result, travellers arriving in Canada from Iran will now be asked to self-isolate for two weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the new measure is being imposedbecause new cases confirmed in Canada have been traced to travel in Iran, a pattern she called "very concerning."

The overallCanadian totalis now 34cases, saidhealth officials.

Thirteen others in B.C. and one person Quebec have tested positive for the virus.