The latest news on the novel coronavirus and the illness dubbed COVID-19 (all times Eastern):
9:15 a.m.
The federal government is spending $1 billion to help provinces respond to the novel coronavirus.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing the aid in Ottawa this morning.
He says Canada has been fortunate so far but the country needs to be prepared for all scenarios.
The illness has sickened more than 100,000 people around the world and led to mass quarantines and restrictions on public gatherings.
9 a.m.
A spokeswoman for Doug Ford says the Ontario premier is not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms after attending a conference where an attendee tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also attended the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention on March 2 — the same day as the novel coronavirus patient.
Ford’s office says the premier has not been contacted by health officials who are tracking down people who came into contact with the patient.
Health officials say the patient is currently in self-isolation at his home in Sudbury, Ont.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 11, 2020.
The Canadian Press
