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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.