No new COVID-19 cases in Quebec and risk remains low, province's health minister says

A second person has tested positive for COVID-19 in Quebec, the government announced Thursday. You can ready that story here.

There remains only oneconfirmed case of coronavirus infection in Quebec and the risk of catching the virus in the province is still low, Health Minister Danielle McCann said Wednesday.

McCannsaid the Quebec government was neverthelessexpanding its efforts to deal with a potential outbreak.

A provincialcommittee has been established to ensure communication between ministries to help limit the spread of the virus. The province is also in the process of designating clinics where the virus can be treated.

Though there has been only one confirmed case of coronavirus,McCann said 33 cases in Quebec are currently under investigation.Since theglobal outbreak began,203 cases have tested negative.

"The risk of infection remains low in Quebec," McCann said ata news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Anyone who suspects they could have the virus are advised to call 8-1-1, the province's health hotline known as "Info Sant."

McCann thanks cooperative patients

In her update,McCannsaid Quebec hospitals are ready to receive suspected cases. She added the government wants at least one negative pressure room available in every region in Quebec in order to treat suspected cases.

The rooms prevent air from circulatingto other parts of the hospital, limiting the spread of the virus.

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The one Quebec patient with coronavirushas been in isolation at home. She had takena plane from Iran to Qatar before arriving in Montreal last week.

The woman immediatelywent to an outpatient clinic in the Montreal region with minor symptoms and was quickly given a mask upon entering, McCann said last week.

She said the patient was then put in isolation at a nearbyhospital where the proper infection-control measures were "very well implemented."

On Wednesday, the health ministerthanked the patients who are under investigation. She said they were collaborativeand followedprecautionary measures.

"We congratulate them for their responsible citizenship and sense of duty," McCann said.