TORONTO – The scientific director of the Ontario-advising committee on COVID-19 says using the mask indoors for a few more weeks, whether required or not, will be the key to fighting a tidal wave. province. Dr Peter Juni says sewage monitoring suggests the province sees between 100,000 and 120,000 new cases of the virus each day – far short of the 4,224 officially reported on Thursday due to PCR test limits. Juni says that these same test limits mean that it is not clear how long this wave will last, because we do not know how many people have been infected so far and have an extra piece of immunity. However, he says taking a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine is even more effective in boosting immunity from catching the virus, as evidence shows that the current variant can be stuck multiple times. His comments come as the three opposition parties called on the government to reinstate or resume several public health measures, including the mandatory mask, to ease the sixth wave of COVID-19. Hospitalizations are rising by 40 percent each week, with 1,126 people reporting being infected with the virus on Thursday and 159 in the intensive care unit. NDP leader Andrea Horwath calls on the government to either reinstate the mandatory mask in public or explain why it will not do so. He also said that masks should be required in schools and that the order for hospitals, long-term care homes and public transport should not be lifted on April 27, as scheduled. Liberal leader Steven Del Duca also says ending mask orders in these places on April 27 is a “huge mistake” and that masks should be required again in key interiors such as schools, pharmacies and grocery stores. Green Leader Mike Schreiner, Horowatt and Del Duca are also urging the government to expand access to PCR testing so that people know for sure when they are sick or contagious. However, Health Minister Christine Eliot says the increase in cases was expected, citing the county chief physician, Dr. Kieran Moore. “Dr Moore has recommended that the masks should only be worn in some cases in hospitals, long-term care homes and other gathering places where it is necessary to protect people,” Eliot told parliament on Thursday. “If Dr. Moore changes his mind in the coming days, we will make these changes as necessary, but when it comes to mask use it is voluntary, although most people choose to wear masks in busy public places and we expect that you will continue to do so. “ Meanwhile, Ontarians aged 60 and over were able to book an appointment for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday. First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and non-indigenous household members aged 18 and over can also start booking these downloads. The fourth installments are offered within a recommended period of five months after the initial booster dose. Residents can make appointments through the provincial vaccination portal, public health units with separate booking systems, clinical vaccinations from natives and some pharmacies. The fourth installments are already available to residents of long-term care and nursing homes and immunosuppressed in Ontario. This Canadian Press report was first published on April 7, 2022. Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
