With the COVID-19 outbreak, vigilance in infection control has increased in both general public and hospital levels, and its psychological impact on hospital staff is expected to increase. In a survey in Canada about the psychosocial effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome on hospital staff, 29% of the respondents scored above the threshold point on the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, indicating probable emotional distress. Frontline healthcare workers may experience fear of being infected and spreading the virus to their families, particularly those working in isolation wards and accident and emergency departments. There is a need for timely mental health care for patients and health workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.