The Ontario minister of health has confirmed Canada’s first coronavirus cases. The man, in his 50s, reported fever and respiratory symptoms on his flight from Guangzhou, China and was put into isolation upon arriving in Toronto, Canada.

On Monday, officials confirmed that the man’s wife also tested positive for the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) despite having no symptoms. No reports at the time state whether or not the man’s wife is contagious. At the time, she’s put herself in “self-isolation” and is having regular discussions with Canadian officials.

Canadian officials have stated the risk to the public remains “low”.

Across Canada, people are reacting. Ontario parents have petitioned the school board to quarantine students who have recently traveled to China. The school board has responded by warning against xenophobia or any actions – not recommended by the health ministry – that could lead to racism.

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There’s several major concerns worth highlighting here.

Is the wife contagious?

She seems to be an asymptomatic carrier, so the question becomes can she spread the disease to others. Simultaneously, the man, who we know can spread the disease, had mild symptoms on the flight. So far, Canada has released no updates about tracking those on the flight or those the man was in contact with.

Guangzhou, China

Guangzhou, China is a major city with more than 10 million people near other major cities like Shenzhen (which is linked to Hong Kong). Together the region has 100+ million people. China has stated only 150 people in the Guangzhou have the virus, however, people traveling with it on flights might indicate this isn’t true.

If the virus gets a foothold in this region, especially if asymptomatic people who can spread it and carry it exist, that could result in major additional spread.

Canada Spread

Could the virus spread between other Canadians? Toronto was at the center of the SARS epidemic internationally, when the city’s infection practices were called into question. One person with the disease eventually lead to hundreds infected.

Quebec is currently investigating three new potential cases of the disease. No one knows the details of these cases or the potential results of them – it will likely be a day until test results return. However, it’s very likely at this point there will be more than 2 cases in Canada.