Federal well being officers urged Canadians to wear face masks indoors and proceed following different public well being precautions throughout a COVID-19 replace on Thursday morning.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public well being officer, mentioned a number of layers of private safety will probably be vital in the approaching weeks to scale back the affect of a fall surge of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 circumstances on hospitals and susceptible folks.
“Although no particular person layer of safety is ideal, when used constantly and collectively, vaccine plus layers can present wonderful safety towards COVID-19 in addition to different infectious illnesses we might encounter,” Tam mentioned.
Dr. Tam referred to as on Canadians to make sure they’re updated on their COVID-19 boosters and flu photographs, to keep up good hand hygiene and wear well-fitting face masks indoors and in locations with poor air flow, the place bodily distancing will not be attainable.
“If it has been six months since your final COVID-19 vaccine dose or booster, get vaccinated with a bivalent Omicron-targeting booster,” she mentioned.
“Keep up with the handwashing, sporting a good-quality, well-fitting face masks when indoors, particularly if you cannot keep away from being in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.”
Amid an increase in respiratory infections throughout the nation, a latest ballot by Nanos Research discovered seven in 10 Canadians would assist, or share some assist, for the return of face masks mandates in indoor public areas if beneficial by officers.
This is a creating story and will probably be up to date.
With information from CTVNews.ca Writer Melissa Lopez-Martinez