Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first known case of COVID-19 in Canada.
The 56-year-old man, who became known as “Patient Zero,” had travelled to the country from China.
He was admitted to Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto with mild pneumonia.
A lab later confirmed his infection as what was known as the novel coronavirus.
“Patient Zero” eventually recovered from the virus, but more more than 19,000 people in Canada have since died from COVID-19.
Beyond the physical, mental and economic devastation, the virus prompted a social upheaval that would fundamentally alter the lives of millions of Canadians.
By March, with COVID cases spiking, mask wearing became the norm, schools and businesses started closing, lockdowns and travel restrictions were imposed, while major sporting and other events were cancelled.
There was also a seismic shift of employees working from home as people were asked to physically distance — even from loved ones.
One year later, the country and most of the world are still struggling to keep COVID-19 case numbers down.
