Four Bahamians who traveled to Canada are in quarantine after a passenger on a Canadian flight tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the Ministry of Health.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Health said on February 14, Bahamian residents traveled on a Canadian domestic flight and later returned to The Bahamas on February 21. 

“Canadian health officials discovered that a passenger on the said flight tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement said.

“The Ministry of Health contacted the Bahamian residents traveling on that flight, evaluated them, and placed them in quarantine out of an abundance of caution.  Consequently, there are a total of four persons in quarantine.  All patients remain asymptomatic, and show no signs of any respiratory disease.

“The Ministry of Health further continues to advise the public that there remains no suspected, reported or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas.”

Common signs the coronavirus infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

 In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. 

As COVID-19 continues to spread outside of China, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned the United States to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak which could lead to significant disruptions in everyday life.

Italy reported a total of 15 deaths from the coronavirus, which is the most deaths recorded outside of China.

In China 2,663 persons have died as a result of the coronavirus.