Canada ready to aid China on coronavirus

Prime Minister Trudeau says international community has to 'continue to work together'

As China grapples with the novel coronavirus, now being called COVID-19, Canada pledged that it is ready to offer more help.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday that Canada is standing by in case China asks for more help. He said Canada has already responded to China's request for medical equipment, including face masks and other protective gear, as the infection rate and death toll from the virus continue to climb.

"We are going to continue to work with them to ensure that they have the resources to contain this virus," Trudeau said during a visit to Ethiopia. "We recognize it is a difficult and uncertain time for (China) and for everyone around the world, but as an international community we do have to continue to work together, and we're there to help."

Meanwhile, an advance team of international experts organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) left for Beijing on Sunday to help investigate China's COVID-19 epidemic.

Dr Bruce Aylward, a Canadian epidemiologist will lead the special WHO team. Aylward and his colleagues are working with their Chinese counterparts to make sure they have the right expertise to address the outbreak.

As the COVID-19 epidemic spread globally, more than 460 cases have been confirmed outside the Chinese mainland. Seven cases have been confirmed in Canada, with four cases in British Columbia and three in Ontario.

A statement released by Canada's Foreign Ministry, Global Affairs Canada, said that the country is working with its partners and international organizations to control the spread of the disease.

"This is vital to helping those affected and protecting the health and safety of people around the world," said the statement.

To support China's ongoing response to the outbreak, Canada has deployed approximately 16 metric tons of personal protective equipment, such as clothing, face shields, masks, goggles and gloves to the country since Feb 4.

This equipment has been provided in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross and the Red Cross Society of China.

"Our deepest thoughts are with all those affected by this outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to provide further assistance as needed," said François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's minister of foreign affairs.

"Canada is saddened by the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak, especially the loss of life, on the Chinese population," said Karina Gould, Canada's minister of international development, adding that personal protective equipment is essential to prevent and limit the spread of the virus.

While some countries announced significant entry restrictions after the COVID-19 outbreak, Canada said it is not ready to declare a national emergency.

Canada's ambassador to China, Dominic Barton, praised China's efforts in trying to contain the outbreak, saying its decision to lock down Wuhan and freeze travel during the traditional Chinese New Year helped to prevent its spread.

"I commend what China is doing in trying to contain this," Barton told MPs at a special House of Commons committee on Canada-China relations last Wednesday.

Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau warned that the outbreak will "undoubtedly" hit the Canadian and global economies this year.

Although Canada can't know the economic impact right now, said Morneau, it will be felt across the country on everything from declining tourism, declining oil prices and supply-chain challenges.

"Some estimates suggest the outbreak could cause a dip of roughly 0.4 percent in global economic output in 2020," he added.