• Officials are monitoring three more people for potential cases of the coronavirus in Quebec.
• So far, there are only two presumptive cases in Canada, both in Toronto.
• Visit MTLBlog for more headlines.

Quebec's Ministry of Health and Social Services is now investigating three people in the province who may have been infected by the virus called Coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The number of infected people in Canada has remained at two presumptive cases, both in Toronto, Ontario. Our current-day, ever-connected world means that even though the new coronavirus first appeared in Wuhan, China and resulted in a large-scale quarantine, people in countries all over the world are staying vigilant and informed as the potential for the spread of the virus continues to be a threat thanks to the ease of international travel. 

In Quebec, five people who were held and monitored for potential cases of the virus were released last week after they were tested and ruled out as carriers of the virus.

Now, medical professionals are investigating three new people to discern whether or not they are infected.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death." 

In a statement released on January 27, 2020, Quebec's Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) made clear that there is still no probable or confirmed case of the coronavirus in Quebec.

However, as of the 27th, there are three new people that are "under investigation according to the Public Health Agency of Canada's definition of coronavirus 2019-nCoV."

Translation: CORONAVIRUS | Santé Montréal reassures the population and reminds that the necessary measures have been taken to diagnose cases that may arise in Quebec.

The MSSS states that "the risk of importation of 2019-nCoV by travellers is currently considered low, but cannot be completely ruled out. Should a case be confirmed in Quebec, the risk of disease transmission in the community also remains low."

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The MSSS also assures people in Quebec that health professionals, "including doctors, nurses, laboratory personnel and paramedics, have access to tools to quickly identify a suspected case of 2019-nCoV and to ensure that it is adequately managed and that the necessary prevention and control measures are quickly applied."

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) also told MTL Blog that its "staff has been instructed to screen any patient presenting to the Emergency or Outpatient clinics for symptoms similar to other respiratory tract infections, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and for travel in the regions/countries where the virus was identified within 14 days."

The MSSS explains that the main clinical signs and symptoms of coronavirus are "fever and cough, with a few cases having difficulty breathing and chest X-rays showing invasive pneumonic infiltrates in both lungs."

They also admit that, as of right now, "the mode of transmission is not well known."

Though, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed human-to-human transmission and research is underway to learn more about its spread.

Data from the People's Daily, China, seen above, indicates there are currently 4,515 confirmed cases in China, 106 deaths and 60 recoveries, as well as over 45 cases outside of China, in 14 countries around the globe.

This article's cover image is used for illustrative purposes only.