Health Minister Patty Hajdu says Canada is working to increase the number of ventilators it has to meet an expected urgent need as a result of required treatment for COVID-19. She says both in Canada and abroad, officials are also working on figuring out the best treatments for the illness, and finding a vaccine. Hajdu says procurement efforts for medical equipment need to take into account making sure all countries have access to what they need, and those demands are evolving in real-time.

Westjet Airlines says some of its passengers may have been exposed to people infected with the novel coronavirus on recent flights.The Calgary-based company made the announcement on their website and social media Tuesday, listing the flights and affected rows.It says passengers in affected rows are considered close contacts to those infected and could be at risk of exposure.The company says a total of 14 flights between March 12 and Feb. 28 had passengers on board who tested positive for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Liberal government is going to provide $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses to help them get through the economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 outbreak. There will also be $55 billion to help Canadians meet liquidity needs through tax deferrals. There will be an emergency care benefit for those for those who fall ill, need to self-isolate or have to take care of family member with COVID-19 but fail to qualify for employment insurance. There will be an emergency support benefit for those who lose their jobs and don't qualify f

The U.S. and Canada have agreed to temporarily close their shared border to nonessential travel, President Donald Trump made that announcement Wednesday on Twitter as the two nations work to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.Trump says the decision will not affect the flow of trade between the countries.Trump writes that ``We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic.'' Both countries are eager to choke off the spread of the virus but also maintain their vital economic relationship.Canada relies on the U.S. for 75% of its

There have now been eight COVID-19 deaths in Canada, as BC reports another three fatalities hours after Ontario announced its first death. BC's provincial health officer says six of the deaths stem from a care home in North Vancouver, while a man in his 80s died on Monday in hospital in the Fraser Health region Health officials in Ontario say the 77-year-old man in the Muskoka region was not a confirmed case, but the illness was discovered after his death, the cause of which remains under investigation. BC, Ontario and Alberta have also declared public health emergencies today.

Alberta is declaring a state of public emergency in reaction to the novel coronavirus. Premier Jason Kenney has announced that any gathering larger than 50 people, including weddings and funerals must be cancelled. Public recreation facilities, casinos, bingo halls, bars, museums and art galleries will also be shuttered if not already. Worship services and conferences also fall under the 50 person rule. Kenney says his government will spend $60 million on charities and non profit groups who are helping people cope with the effects of the virus.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Emergencies Act is a tool the federal government can use to enact measures it would otherwise not be able to enact. He says the Liberal government is looking at other ways to impose new measures without calling a state of emergency. Trudeau also says that with three million Canadians living or travelling abroad at any time, it would not be possible to expect that everyone would be able to come home immediately. Trudeau also says Canada is in a good fiscal position to be able to invest in Canadian individuals and businesses to make sure the country gets t

Health officials in Ontario are confirming the province's first death in a patient with COVID-19.A spokesman for the province's health minister says the 77 year old man in the Muskoka region was not a confirmed case, but the illness was discovered after his death.The exact cause of his death is still under investigation.It's the first Canadian fatality outside British Columbia linked to the novel coronavirus.

Canada's largest movie exhibitor Cineplex Inc. says it's closing all of its 165 theatres nationwide until at least April 2 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.The chain also plans to temporarily shutter entertainment complexes the Rec Room and Playdium effective tonight.Chief executive officer Ellis Jacob says Cineplex leadership has closely monitored the escalating spread of COVID-19 in Canada, and believes ``the time as come for us to do more.''Cineplex represents about 75 per cent of the Canadian film exhibitor market across the country. The company had been reluctant to close down its ope