March 23, 2020: PDAC 2020 Convention attendees tested positive for COVID-19 (PDAC statement)

Updated as of 5:45 pm EDT on Monday, March 23, 2020

 

Since the conclusion of the PDAC 2020 convention on March 4, we have learned that three attendees—one from Sudbury and two from Toronto—have tested positively for COVID-19.

Toronto Public Health confirmed that these individuals were not infectious at the convention. However, they may have contracted the virus while participating in PDAC 2020.

This is all of the information Toronto Public Health has provided us.

All PDAC 2020 attendees have been notified of developments and were recommended to self-monitor for signs and symptoms for up to 14 days after leaving the convention. While this period has now passed, we encourage participants to continue monitoring themselves as a precautionary measure.

We will continue to support investigations undertaken by health agencies, as required.

The health and safety of our attendees and staff has always been our top priority. In the weeks leading up to the PDAC 2020 Convention, our team regularly consulted with Toronto Public Health to ensure all known precautionary safety measures were being taken. This is in addition to following directives from the Public Health Agency of Canada and World Health Organization.

At no time did Canadian health authorities recommend our event be delayed or cancelled. 

In addition to regular health and safety procedures on-site at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, preventative measures were implemented, including frequent cleaning and disinfecting of all high-volume touchpoints, increased availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and additional signage to remind attendees of hygiene recommendations.

Information about preventative measures was available on the PDAC website, as well as direct email communication with participants about health and safety practices. 

Further updates will continue to be available on our website as necessary.