Kindgo
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http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sars30.html
Toronto quarantines 7,000 for SARS
May 30, 2003
BY TOM COHEN
TORONTO--More than 7,000 people were quarantined Thursday in Canada's largest city, where SARS is returning with a vengeance.
Health officials have told the people to quarantine themselves because of possible exposure. Guidelines for home quarantine include no visitors, sleeping in a separate room from anyone else and wearing a mask when in contact with others.
The number of people actually infected with SARS tripled to 33 when health officials broadened their definition of what constitutes a "probable case" to meet international standards.
The change came after the World Health Organization urged Canada to expand its definition of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The new cluster in Canada, detected last week, was a harsh blow to a health care system that seemed to have brought an initial SARS outbreak in March and April under control.
Because of the new cluster, Toronto was placed again on WHO's list of SARS-affected areas. Another 29 cases were listed as suspected, and officials warned 107 other people showing possible SARS symptoms were being monitored.
''I think a large number of them will eventually be suspect or probable cases,'' said Dr. Donald Low, chief microbiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Officials worry the WHO could issue another warning against travel to the city, like one April 23 that was lifted a week later. WHO spokesman Iain Simpson said the agency was not considering another advisory yet.
''It's a subjective judgment,'' Simpson said. ''We look at whether there is a high level of risk and if there are things we don't understand before we take any decision.''
He added the agency was ''watching the situation closely.''
The new SARS cases mean more harm to Toronto's convention and tourism industry. Officials have started aggressive marketing campaigns to lure back visitors.
Organizers announced Thursday that all 70,000 tickets for a June 21 concert to promote Toronto tourism had sold out in three hours. Performers will include Avril Lavigne, the Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan.
Despite the SARS scare, life has continued as usual in the metropolitan area of more than 3 million on Lake Ontario. No one wears masks downtown, and restaurants, theaters and other venues remain open despite complaints of decreased business because of SARS.
The global death toll Thursday from SARS was at least 753.
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God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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