Toronto conference attendee tests positive for Covid-19

A man in his 50s who attended a mining conference in Toronto, one of the industry’s biggest, has tested positive for Covid-19.

The man went to the hospital in Sudbury, Ontario, on March 7.

“Following testing, the patient was discharged home where he remains in self-isolation, following Public Health direction. The patient has experienced cough and shortness of breath (difficulty breathing),” according to a statement Tuesday from the Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

More than 23,100 people attended the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto March 1 to 4, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The man attended the conference March 2 and 3.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is actively engaged in follow up and is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and the local health system, according to Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health at Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

“Our focus is on breaking the chain of transmission to limit the spread of infection and as a precautionary measure, we are asking those who attended PDAC 2020 to monitor for symptoms for 14 days,” said Dr. Sutcliffe.

Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau announced C$1.1 billion ($800 million) in new financial measures to help mitigate the effects of the widening coronavirus outbreak in Canada, adding he’s prepared to use federal financing agencies to stimulate the economy further if needed.

The prime minister said Wednesday the immediate plan includes providing faster unemployment insurance benefits to people who self-isolate, more funding for coronavirus research and financial assistance to provinces for medical supplies. If credit conditions tighten, the government will use the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada to help provide funding to businesses.

“I want all premiers and all Canadians to know, our government is here for you. We will make sure you have everything you need,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa, adding the government has the fiscal capacity to spend more if the situation deteriorates.

It’s the first major move to counter the crisis for Trudeau and suggests there are mounting concerns the fallout is impacting the Canadian economy. But the new spending contrasts with more dramatic measures from central banks and governments around the world, with the Bank of Canada last week slashing interest rates by half a percentage point to restore confidence.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde told European Union leaders on Tuesday there is a risk of a major economic shock unless leaders act urgently. The Bank of England made an emergency rate cut Wednesday, in co-ordination with U.K. Finance Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge of a 30 billion pound ($39 billion) stimulus package, as the government seeks to prepare the British economy to fight the potentially devastating impact of coronavirus.

Financing agencies
While short on funding, the Canadian measures do, however, reveal a blueprint for how the government is planning to help businesses if things worsen. The Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada provided C$11 billion of additional credit during the 2008-2009 recession, according to a statement.

“To support businesses should the economy experience tightening credit conditions, the Government will act swiftly to stimulate the economy by strengthening investment in federal lending agencies,” Trudeau’s office said.

Medical authorities are currently treating more than 90 cases across the country, and one person has died, according to Health Canada. That’s a relatively low number for a country of 37 million people.

Trudeau was also asked about any measures he’s taking himself after attending a major mining conference last week in Toronto, at which another has since tested positive for Covid-19. The prime minister said he hasn’t yet been tested but is following the advice of health professionals.

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