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9th case of coronavirus revealed in B.C.

The new case is a man in his 50s, who recently came home to the Fraser Health Region from Iran
coronavirus
A ninth case of coronavirus was announced in B.C. on Tuesday morning. Image via Vancouver Coastal Health

A ninth case of coronavirus was announced in B.C. on Tuesday morning.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s top medical health officer, said the new case is a man in his 50s, who recently came home to the Fraser Health Region from Iran.

He is in isolation at home, as are the "small number of close contacts" of the man.

Given the five new coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths yesterday in nearby Washington State, Henry was asked at Tuesday's press conference if there will be any extra measures taken at the U.S. border.

"There is screening at our Canadian borders and it's still very limited (chances of getting COVID-19)...we still believe it's very safe," she said, adding that people shouldn't be afraid to cross the border into the U.S.

Henry said she and her team are in close communication with their counterparts in Washington State.

With spring break fast approaching, Henry also urged parents to think about where they're travelling during the holiday.

"What is your tolerance for being caught in a quarantine in that country? Perhaps you should defer your travel is it's a country that's having problems (with the disease)."

As for mass gatherings during the spring, such as the Persian New Year and Easter, Henry said it's incumbent upon event organizers to risk assess ahead of time.

"We need to be cognizant of what's happening in our local community. Do a risk assessment for your event. Who is coming to your event?" she said.

Henry reiterated the mantra of B.C. health officials from day one of the outbreak, urging people to wash their hands regularly and to stay at home if they are sick.

She advised people to change the way they greet each other, avoiding handshakes and kissing and said people with underlying health conditions should think twice before travelling.

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