One of North Bay’s top doctors tells northerners to mask-up
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise as well as other respiratory infections, federal and provincial medical officials are encouraging people to masks up. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is recommending the same, when indoors in crowded places.
"I would recommend individuals wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces," said Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, the health unit’s associate medical officer of health.
"Of course, individuals should not be going out with a respiratory virus and should put a mask on when recovering from the illness."
The recommendation of masking comes as COVID-19 cases are on the rise in this region and as they are seeing an increase in cases of other respiratory infections, such as respiratory syncytial virus or RVS.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"Wearing a mask is particularly important for those who are high risk to an illness," she added.
Zimbalatti told CTV News she understands some people have gotten used to not having to wear a mask, but said it's one of the best protective measures.
"No measure is 100 per cent, that’s true for masks as well, but we know that they help," she said.
"It's not 100 per cent and you have to combine that with other infection control measures but they do help."
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore is set to make a general recommendation to wear masks, specifically in crowded areas, two sources told The Canadian Press. The recommendation is one of the strongest moves outside of a mandate to help curb the spread of viruses in the community. However, a province-wide mask mandate is not expected to be announced.
"It's a combination of viruses," said Zimbalatti.
"Influenza is taking off more quickly than in previous years that is a concern. Respiratory syncytial virus is one that particularly affects the younger children and that is being a factor as well."
The Ontario Hospital Association is also asking Ontario residents to wear masks indoors and to get up-to-date vaccinations for COVID-19 and influenza.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
VIA Rail service delayed for hours due to suspicious package investigation in Kingston, Ont.
VIA Rail service resumed in the Kingston, Ont. area late Saturday afternoon, after a suspicious package investigation halted train service for more than four hours over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.