CORNWALL, Ontario – The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is assuring the public that the Canadian passengers of the Diamond Princess who are planned to be quarantined at the Nav Centre in Cornwall.
Diamond Princess cruise liner is currently docked in Japan. The Canadian government announced on Saturday evening that it would be evacuating the Canadian passengers to Trenton Canadian Forces Base, from there they will be sent to Cornwall for an approximate two week stay that the Nav Centre. The Diamond Princess is reported to have hundreds of patients afflicted with the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) illness.
All of the patients of the medical quarantine will be screened prior to leaving Japan, as well as when they arrive at Trenton. Any individual showing symptoms will not be allowed to board the plane from Japan.
“We are all concerned with what we are seeing on the news. It is understandable that people might be worried about the potential of the virus being introduced in this community but measures are in place to protect the health and safety of Cornwall and area residents and Canadians who are returning,” states Dr. Paul
Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU).
Dr. Roumeliotis inspected the Nav quarantine site and stated that the risk to the public was low. The site has a self-contained ventilation system, as well as restricted access. The site is only accessible via a bridge and a tunnel, neither of which are open to the public.
Despite his satisfaction with the quarantine site, Dr. Roumeliotis said that precautions are being taken, and he has communicated with local paramedic services and hospitals to ensure that safe transport and treatment are in place for patients should the need arise.
““We are well-prepared to handle any medical needs in a safe manner,” assures Dr. Roumeliotis.
