No known cases of coronavirus in Quebec, but province says it's prepared

Quebec Health Minister Danielle McCann said Wednesday morning the province is ready to deal with an outbreak of coronavirus, even as her ministry reported there are no known cases in the province.

Four individuals in Quebec suspected of having the virus have been tested — and their results have all come back negative.

McCann said Quebec is stocking up on a year's supply of protective gear.

But she added that the best protection for the general public is frequent handwashing, and for those who are sick, coughing into your elbow and staying home. 

McCann said the province is assisting the federal government in efforts to repatriate Quebecers stranded in China.

The federal government announced Wednesday afternoon it has secured a plane and is trying to organize a flight later this week.

Travel suspended in and around Wuhan

The virus has killed more than 100 people in China, mostly in the area around Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.

Travel by plane, train and bus to and from that city and throughout Hubei has been suspended in an effort to contain the spread of the virus, leaving more than 50 million people in 17 cities essentially quarantined.

It's not clear how many Quebecers remain in the affected region.

Anyone who has recently travelled to Wuhan and who has a fever, cough and respiratory difficulty is asked to call Info-Santé at 811.