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This is getting scary!
not good.. too close to home
Toronto Star
Thousands ordered quarantined in GTA
Everyone who visited infected east-end hospital at risk, official says
CASSANDRA SZKLARSKI
CANADIAN PRESS
Canadians in the thousands have been asked to "quarantine themselves," wearing masks and in some cases staying home over fears a deadly SARS outbreak contained to the Toronto-area would spread even further.
Toronto's Medical Officer of Health said everyone who visited the east-end Scarborough Grace Hospital since March 16 should remain in their homes for 10 days since that visit.
Their family members may go to work or school, but must wear a mask when at home and in contact with those who are at risk of infection.
"We realize this is a substantial amount of people, we're talking about over a thousand we expect, this number will be in the thousands," said Dr. Sheela Basrur.
"This is an incident of unprecedented scope and magnitude."
The comments came as protective facemasks flew off supply store shelves Wednesday as anxious Torontonians sought to shield themselves against a deadly SARS outbreak that prompted Ontario to declare a "health emergency."
Police wearing surgical facemasks descended on the hospital where two people died of the pneumonia-like disease, stretching yellow police tape around the perimeter and blocking the entrances with their cruisers, Citytv reported Wednesday.
Ontario's Public Security Commissioner said police were providing protection for a helicopter about to land at Scarborough Grace Hospital carrying an infectious disease expert. The hospital has no landing pad, forcing the helicopter to land on the grounds of the hospital.
"The police presence is simply to allow that to happen and ensure public safety by cordoning off the area," said Dr. James Young.
News of the extended quarantine came hours after Health Minister Tony Clement announced he had declared a "health emergency" in Ontario. By using the province's emergency powers legislation, Clement was able to activate an action group to try to stop the spread of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Dozens of households have already been quarantined and Scarborough's emergency room was closed earlier this week. A second Toronto hospital, Mount Sinai, stopped accepting new emergency patients on Wednesday. A Toronto elementary school has been closed since Monday.
"We're taking this very seriously," Clement said.
"By characterizing it as a health emergency, we are giving ourselves the powers that we need and the information that we need at the most appropriate time to ensure that we can contain this disease as soon as possible."
A command centre will be set up and staffed 24 hours a day to co-ordinate all information from hospitals and health workers
not good.. too close to home
Toronto Star
Thousands ordered quarantined in GTA
Everyone who visited infected east-end hospital at risk, official says
CASSANDRA SZKLARSKI
CANADIAN PRESS
Canadians in the thousands have been asked to "quarantine themselves," wearing masks and in some cases staying home over fears a deadly SARS outbreak contained to the Toronto-area would spread even further.
Toronto's Medical Officer of Health said everyone who visited the east-end Scarborough Grace Hospital since March 16 should remain in their homes for 10 days since that visit.
Their family members may go to work or school, but must wear a mask when at home and in contact with those who are at risk of infection.
"We realize this is a substantial amount of people, we're talking about over a thousand we expect, this number will be in the thousands," said Dr. Sheela Basrur.
"This is an incident of unprecedented scope and magnitude."
The comments came as protective facemasks flew off supply store shelves Wednesday as anxious Torontonians sought to shield themselves against a deadly SARS outbreak that prompted Ontario to declare a "health emergency."
Police wearing surgical facemasks descended on the hospital where two people died of the pneumonia-like disease, stretching yellow police tape around the perimeter and blocking the entrances with their cruisers, Citytv reported Wednesday.
Ontario's Public Security Commissioner said police were providing protection for a helicopter about to land at Scarborough Grace Hospital carrying an infectious disease expert. The hospital has no landing pad, forcing the helicopter to land on the grounds of the hospital.
"The police presence is simply to allow that to happen and ensure public safety by cordoning off the area," said Dr. James Young.
News of the extended quarantine came hours after Health Minister Tony Clement announced he had declared a "health emergency" in Ontario. By using the province's emergency powers legislation, Clement was able to activate an action group to try to stop the spread of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Dozens of households have already been quarantined and Scarborough's emergency room was closed earlier this week. A second Toronto hospital, Mount Sinai, stopped accepting new emergency patients on Wednesday. A Toronto elementary school has been closed since Monday.
"We're taking this very seriously," Clement said.
"By characterizing it as a health emergency, we are giving ourselves the powers that we need and the information that we need at the most appropriate time to ensure that we can contain this disease as soon as possible."
A command centre will be set up and staffed 24 hours a day to co-ordinate all information from hospitals and health workers
|.. Scary!
) now the Central York Hosptal in Toronto is closed because 1 person in there was discovered to have SARS! Worse thing is my mom went there few days ago...
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