There are now 341 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada. All 10 provinces report cases either confirmed or presumptive. At a briefing today in Ottawa, Dr. Theresa Tam, the head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, calls the situation “serious”.She says the window for controlling the virus is narrowing.Tam says all the medical officers of health in Canada agree things like travel, and large gathering of 250 people or more must be cancelled.

Public health officials say there are nine new cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia.Dr. Bonnie Henry says the new cases bring the provincial total up to 73.Five cases are connected to a cluster at the Lynn Valley Care Centre, one case is linked to travel from Portugal and the remaining three cases are under investigation.Henry says the province is also adapting its testing strategy, noting more cases are expected in the coming days.She says not everyone needs to get tested, even if they have recently travelled outside of Canada.

The federal government says any Canadian who's abroad should get back home while it's still possible. That's a step up from previous advice, which urged travellers outside the country to think about doing so. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne tweeted the new recommendation. He warns that commercial travel options might not remain available amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some countries have already taken measures such as stopping or sharply limiting air traffic.

A 68 year old woman, who had tested positive for COVID-19, died due to co-morbidity, diabetes and hypertension, at a hospital here, said Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry in a statement on Friday. "The death of a 68 year old female from West Delhi (mother of a confirmed case of COVID-19) is confirmed to be caused due to co-morbidity, diabetes and hypertension. She has also tested positive for COVID-19," reads the statement. "She had history of contact with a positive case (her son who had travel history to Switzerland and Italy between 5th to 22nd February, 2020). The son had returned

Alberta is changing labour rules to provide 14 days of paid leave for workers who self-isolate due to the novel coronavirus or are caring for someone who has it. Premier Jason Kenney says employees will not need a doctor's note nor will they have had to work for 90 days previously to qualify. Alberta has announced six new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number in the province to 29. Publicly funded schools, however, will remain open. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, says the evidence on whether closing schools is an effective way of limiting the spread is not conclusive.

British Columbia has 11 new cases of COVID-19, all of them in the Vancouver area, bringing the total in the province to 64. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the new cases also involve an ``additional cluster'' that was reported earlier today at the Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. Three administrative workers at the hospital have tested positive for COVID-19. Vancouver Coastal Health says they are in self-isolation at home and are recovering. Henry says they have not worked in the hospital's clinical areas. There is also another case related to the Lynn Valley Care Centr

Canadians are being told to avoid non essential travel outside of the country and to be prepared not to be allowed back home if they do. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne issued the global travel advisory this afternoon, urging those currently aboard to consider ending their trip early. The government notes new border restrictions, flight cancellations and quarantines could prevent people from returning to Canada. And those out of the country should make sure they have enough money and necessities in case their plans are disrupted.

Toronto's medical officer of health says all licensed childcare centres will be closed until April 5 to stop the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. Dr. Eileen de Villa is also recommending that anyone who has travelled recently outside of Canada to self-isolate for two weeks. The city will also shut down many public buildings including libraries, recreation centres and swimming pools as well as cancel March break camps. Officials, however, are not asking people to avoid mass public transit. Toronto Mayor John Tory, who recently returned from a trade mission to London, says he has no symptoms bu

Canada's national museums are set to shut their doors Saturday as the COVID-19 pandemic hits cultural venues across the country. National Museums of Canada has announced that the public institutions will be closed until further notice to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The decision impacts the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum, Ingenium and the National Gallery of Canada.