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| SARS toll increases to 32 in Canada |
| CCTV.COM 2003-06-03 15:06:11 |
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Toronto health officials reported another death and 10 more cases of SARS in the Canada's largest city Monday, and said a public review of the management of a renewed outbreak of the illness was possible.
The chief health official of Ontario Province, Colin D'Cunha, says a review of old cases has turned up another SARS death in Toronto, increasing the number of SARS deaths to 32 for the country. There are currently 62 active probable cases and 10 suspect cases in the area.
He also reported that 6,800 people are under home quarantine for possible exposure and more than 5,000 health care workers, who have been most affected by this latest outbreak of SARS, are in "working quarantine," which means they continue working but must wear a mask, gown and gloves inside and outside of hospitals, and isolate themselves at home.
Health officials thought they had the illness under control after the initial cluster appeared in March and April, but an undiagnosed case at North York General Hospital led to a further spread among other patients, family members and health care workers.
At least one nursing organization has complained that authorities failed to remain proper vigilance against SARS, allowing the illness to infect health care workers.
Colin D'Cunha said, "We need to take this in the utmost serious way. This is as serious as Walkerton, if not more. This is not going away. We may have a third outbreak. We may have a fourth outbreak."
Ontario officials support a public review of reasons for the second outbreak, but they do not want a formal inquiry that attributes blame.
Ontario's Premier, Ernie Eves, has met with health care workers to discuss their concerns.
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Editor: Xiao Wei CCTV.com
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