The health doctor Dr. Vera Etches says COVID-19 effluent data show that there is “more COVID-19 in the community than ever before” and that she is talking to the county about a possible resumption of mask orders. “It’s something I think about every day and I talk to the county because in the county we would really like to see consistent action because it is a resurgence across the county,” Dr Etz told CTV News on Thursday afternoon. . “These are discussions that will continue.” Ontario lowered capacity at most indoor facilities in February, and mask orders were lifted on March 21. Etches urges people to limit close contacts, to socialize as much as possible outdoors, and wants to see companies implement mask commands. “I strongly recommend that people wear masks indoors. I would like to encourage employers to do their part to really encourage in their work environment that masks are still worn indoors,” Etches said. “And it’s our behavior – our relationships with others are so important that we want to be aware of how many people we are in close contact with is really what lies behind this rapid increase in transmission.” The Ontario Liberal Party has called on the Ontario government to re-impose mask orders on certain public spaces during the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Etches was asked if it was wrong to remove the mask commands with the Omicron wave still circulating in Ottawa and throughout Ontario. “I understand that we are in a different situation than we were in December and January, now people have had, many of them, this third dose that boosts our immunity, and the exposure to Omicron in January has boosted our immunity.” , Etches said. “We see that it is not enough to stop a resurgence, so these basic behaviors that we have been practicing for two years are still important.” Ottawa Southern Liberal MP John Fraser notes that Ontario’s chief physician has not spoken publicly since early March. “For a month now, (Dr. Kieran Moore) has not been available to Ontarians seeking advice, information and guidance. This is not right,” Fraser said. “And it only makes me believe, because Dr. Moore was also a local health official who understood the importance of communication, that the government actually gave him a silencing order.”
FOURTH INSTALLMENTS
Ottawa residents aged 60 and over now have the right to make an appointment for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Doses will be given within a recommended period of five months after the initial booster dose. Etches says about 7,400 people made an appointment for a fourth installment Thursday morning. “I encourage people to help their family members who are over 80, people in their 70s, especially if they need help booking, which could be very helpful in boosting their immune system,” he said. Etches. As of Monday, 62 percent of Ottawa residents aged 12 and over had received a third dose. Etches encourages anyone to take a first, second or third dose immediately. “We have appointments available. So by the end of the month there are still thousands of appointments for people who can go for a first, second or third installment.” Laurie Ingram managed to close her fourth installment on Thursday. “I think it’s safe. I believe in doctors and scientists,” said Ingram. “I do not want to make my own ideas because I do not have a medical or scientific background. And I want to be safe.” With files from Dave Charbonneau of CTV News Ottawa
