By Canadian Press

Trudeau, Tam defend Canadian response times to COVID-19 pandemic

Sep 11, 2020 | 11:35 AM

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government began preparing for a possible pandemic as soon as it received the first alert about a mysterious cluster of pneumonia cases in China on New Year’s Eve.

Trudeau is defending his government against accusations it didn’t act fast enough to warn Canadians about the danger COVID-19 posed to their health and the economy.

This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is accused of downplaying the danger of the novel coronavirus while privately saying it was much worse than the regular flu.

Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says there was a lot of work done in January and February, including getting labs ready to test for COVID-19.

She says the risk for transmission within Canada did remain low until early to mid-March but things with this pandemic changed very quickly after that.

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

1h ago

young volunteers

'Make a big difference:' Nanaimo volunteers collecting warm clothing for those in need

3h ago

strong storm

Wind warning issued as Pacific storm approaches Island

4h ago

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu told Canadians as late as March 10 the risk in Canada was low, and within a week much of the country was on lockdown.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2020.

The Canadian Press