Ontario health professionals plead for continued masking mandates in high-risk settings
Healthcare officials across Ontario are calling on the province to extend its high-risk setting mask mandate past its current expiration date.
Mask mandates in hospitals, long-term care facilities, other health care settings and public transit are set to come down on April 27, as Ontario continues to battle the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Lifting the mask mandates in hospitals, in nursing homes, in other congregate settings, or on public transportation, it would be the most irresponsible action any public health officer can take," said Dr. Doris Grinspun, the CEO of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO).
Dr. Grinspun said she was disappointed following the Ontario chief medical officer of health's news conference last week, the first one in over a month.
In that, Dr. Kieran Moore recommended that Ontarians continue to wear masks, but ruled against reinstating a provincial masking mandate.
It comes as hospitalizations for COVID-19 have risen by 66 per cent in the last two weeks.
"The number of cases in long-term care homes is rising, so of course we want the mask mandates to continue," said Albert Dupuis, a Sault Ste. Marie representative for the Ontario Health Coalition.
"When it comes to the type of masks as well, the cloth of the regular surgical masks probably offers some protection, but probably not in the riskiest of settings. So why are they not mandated? Why are we not protecting, especially the most vulnerable people?"
While Dr. Moore ruled out reinstating a provincial mandate, he added that the province is currently looking to extend masking mandates in high-risk settings past the April 27 deadline.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.