Toronto is prepared to handle a coronavirus outbreak, health officials say

Ontario's chief medical officer of healthsays the city and the province arebetter prepared to deal with the new coronavirusthat has infected hundreds of people inAsiabecause ofexperience with the SARSoutbreak.

"Through SARS and through all the work later, we have set in place standard policies and procedures," said Dr. David Williamsduring an update on Toronto'spreparedness Friday morning.

"We're lightyears ahead of where we were in 2003."

The SARS outbreak in 2003 killed 44 peoplein the GTAand infected hundreds more.

Williams said while there are no confirmed cases of thecoronavirus in Canada, he believes it's just"a matter of where and when."

CEO of Public Health Ontario, Dr. Peter Donnelly, said the provincehas testing that lets medical professionals know within 24 hours whether an illness is this newcoronavirus type.

Donnelly saysan unspecified number of patients have already been tested. All of themturned out to have the flu, previously-known versions ofcoronavirus or other illnesses.

He addsif there is a confirmed case, Toronto will not go into lockdown like the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus originated.

"The city will still be functioning, the province will still be functioning normally ... it's why Public Health Ontario exists."

Risk remains low

Toronto's chief public health officer, Dr. Eileen de Villa, also reassured the public that overall risk remains low in Canada.

But with increased travel expected during Lunar New Year festivities this weekend, she saysthe city is keeping a close eye on thesituation.

"We do know that Toronto's Pearson Airport is an international travel hub. I think it's important that you know we are actively monitoring the situationwith our federal and provincial health partners," she said.

De Villa promisedquick updates if the virus reaches the city.

Twenty-six people have died from the virus so far, with the number of cases now at more than800.

China announced it isbuilding a 1,000-bed hospital in Wuhandedicated to patients who are infected.

Authorities are aiming to have the facility finished by Wednesday.