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The news conference has finished. Beaulieu fielded one of the last questions, about whether Ottawa is also considering chartering a flight to bring the four Canadians home. 

"That's one of the options," he said.

Reimer said PHAC has just connected with the sixth and final person in Canada who may have been exposed to the virus. She said that person has now been given guidance to isolate.

A reporter asked Reimer about what protocols will look like if someone does develop hantavirus. 

She said each province and territory has identified a hospital that has the capability to handle patients with a complex virus. 

If someone does develop symptoms and become ill, they would be transported to that hospital, with protocols in place to prevent any further spread. 

When asked whether the six Canadians who have returned home have been tested for hantavirus, Reimer said they haven't. 

The reason for that, she said, is because "there is no validated test for asymptomatic individuals." 

"That means if we were to do a test on them, my biggest worry is if it came back negative, that could falsely reassure them that they're not infected when in fact we wouldn't be confident of that." 

That might cause them to take less precautions than necessary, she added. There's also a chance that they get a false positive on the test, which could create unnecessary worry.

At this time, officials say they can't speak about the return plan for the four Canadians still on board, but they say all the necessary measures will be in place. That includes distancing and personal protective equipment. 

The reason they don't have a final plan is because they have yet to get updates from the health officials on board the ship who are doing risk assessments. That information will inform the safe return of the Canadians on board, says Reimer. 

A reporter in the room asks Reimer if she believes the cruise ship outbreak will lead to another pandemic. She says officials believe the risk is "very low."

"It's not a virus that is transmitted the same way as COVID — it's much harder to transmit it from person to person," she said in French.

"It is not a virus that has potential to be a pandemic-causing virus."

Reimer said three other Canadians may have been in brief contact with a confirmed case of hantavirus on a flight. 

That includes two people in Alberta and one person in Ontario. Reimer confirms those people are back home, but have no evidence of symptoms at this time. 

They are recommending these individuals stay isolated until the risk period has passed. 

These three people would be in addition to the two Ontario residents and one Quebec resident already identified as having disembarked from the cruise and returned home. Authorities have said the first three residents are being monitored. 

The government says it has also been in touch with the four Canadians on the ship and that none of them are reporting symptoms at this time. 

"We know this is a challenging time for them," said Reimer. The government says it is offering support to the four Canadians and working on their safe return home.

Sebastian Beaulieu, director general for emergency management and preparedness with Global Affairs Canada, says a Canadian consular official arrived in Spain yesterday and their team is preparing for the arrival of the ship in the Canary Islands on Sunday.

Reimer also touched on how people can reduce their risk of contracting hantavirus.

She said the main thing people should do is stay away from rodents, and safely disinfect areas contaminated by rodents. 

Reimer said the cruise ship is expected to arrive in the Canary Islands on May 9 or 10. She said a "team of experts" is on board the ship right now ensuring the safety and health of passengers on board. 

There is also a public health officer en route to the Spanish islands to monitor the process when Canadians disembark and ensure proper protocols are followed.

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