On Twitter, the CMQ he called the rise in respiratory virus cases among children worrying. He indicates that the purpose of wearing a mask is to protect oneself and others.
Federal Public Health stressed on Thursday that people should take extra care as respiratory viruses are having a rough start to their season in the country, immunity to COVID-19 is declining and social contact is increasing as health measures are eased .
“The approaching holiday season should further invite us to behave with prudence and responsibility in the face of this triple threat, in order to avoid a wave of cases that would jeopardize reunification”, writes the CMQ on his Twitter page.
In relation to influenza, Public Health Agency of Canada Deputy Chief Administrator Dr Howard Njoo indicated on Thursday that the 5% seasonal threshold for laboratory test positivity had already been exceeded. According to him, seasonal respiratory viruses could circulate simultaneously in the coming weeks.
Ontario is facing an unprecedented surge of very sick children and children’s hospitals are overwhelmed. On Sunday, Premier Doug Ford encouraged the public to wear a mask but did not make it mandatory.
Are we moving towards a return to the use of masks in public places? This is the recommendation of the College of Physicians of Quebec in the face of the worrying increase in cases of respiratory viruses in children, which cause overflows in pediatric emergencies. Report by Charlotte Dumoulin
Concerns also in Ontario
The province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr Kieran Moore, is expected to make an announcement on Monday urging the public to return to masking.
Two government sources told the Canadian Press that Dr. Moore will call about mask wearing but will not announce a requirement. He also encourages Ontarians to get flu shots and booster shots for COVID-19.
On Friday, Quebec health authorities reported a significant decrease in hospitalizations related to COVID-19. The death toll, however, continued to climb with 14 new fatalities.
Quebec has reported 739 new cases, in addition to at least 133 infections detected by rapid tests. According to the latest public data from the Ministry of Health, the positivity rate is 8.3%.
