Health authorities in Canada have informed WHO that two clusters of cases of respiratory illness are undergoing investigation for…
Health authorities in Canada have informed WHO that two clusters of cases of respiratory illness are undergoing investigation for respiratory illness, including pneumonia. One cluster of 5 cases is associated with St John`s Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. The second cluster of 26 cases, including 10 health care workers, is associated with North York General Hospital. One patient undergoing investigation has been linked to both hospitals.
As a precaution, both clusters are being managed as possibly representing cases of SARS until proven otherwise. Results of laboratory, clinical and epidemiological investigations are expected early next week.
The status of Toronto, which was removed last week from the WHO list of areas with recent local transmission, remains unchanged pending further information made available as the investigations progress.
Update on cases and countries
As of today, a cumulative total of 8141 probable cases with 696 deaths have been reported from 28 countries. This represents an increase of 89 new cases and 7 deaths when compared with yesterday. The new deaths occurred in China (5) and Hong Kong SAR (2).
All of the new cases were reported from two outbreak sites, Taiwan and China. Taiwan has today reported 55 new cases, bringing the cumulative total to 538 cases and 60 deaths. China reported 34 new cases, bringing the cumulative total to 5309 cases and 308 deaths.
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