谭首席讲话:Our time to act is now.
The number of confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada has risen to 648, with nine deaths — seven in B.C, one in Ontario and one in Quebec.
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer
Dr. Theresa Tam said today the number reflects a "sharp rise" in the number of cases and indicates community spread.
She said Canadians should not invite others into their homes at this time and should work from home wherever possible.
Virus will 'be around for a while'
Tam also warned that the virus will be around for a while and will not be eradicated from the world within months. People need to prepare for another "wave" that could come after an initial containment period, she said.
"You're going to have to prepare as though this virus is going to have more than one wave. I think that's the only prudent thing to do," she said.
Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, P.E.I., Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and the Northwest Territories have all declared either a state of emergency or public health emergencies in order to unlock resources and government powers to ensure access to critical supplies.