Several Canadian provinces are stepping up their defense against COVID-19 amid sixth-wave signals.
On Tuesday, Quebec and Prince Edward Island extended their orders for provincial masks until later this month as they try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia also said they would extend access to fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine as the National Advisory Advisory Committee said all provinces and territories should be prepared to start offering the boost.
“Preliminary data show that a second booster dose provides additional protection, including for serious illness,” the commission said.
The decisions came several days after the Public Health Service of Canada said a resurgence of COVID-19 appeared to be under way and encouraged Canadians to be vigilant in helping to curb the spread of the latest variant.
In the city of Quebec, the interim director of public health Dr.  Luc Boileau said he was extending the mask’s mandate until the end of April due to the increase in infections and hospitalizations across the province.
The Ministry of Health reported an increase of 72 patients in COVID-19 hospitalization on Tuesday for a total number of 1,479 infected patients.
“Nevertheless, the situation for the hospitals is under control,” Boileau said.
Coverage is an effective way to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, said Boileau, who added that while not everyone likes to wear a mask, the health mandate is an “acceptable limitation in the current situation”.
There were 3,619 active cases in the PEI and 30 people were hospitalized.
PEI’s head of public health, Dr Heather Morrison, said the masks were more effective against the virus when there was a universal requirement to wear them.  Plans are moving slower than expected.
“Masks matter,” he said.  “The masks will be one of the last steps to be taken.”
However, PEI was due to close all concentration and capacity limits by midnight on Tuesday.  Morrison said cases are not growing as fast as other jurisdictions.
“The fact that we do not see exponential growth can be attributed to the gradual relaxation of public health measures and that masks remain mandatory in indoor public spaces, including schools.”
Other provinces have resisted calls to reintroduce restrictions on public health, including mask orders, although cases have risen in some parts of the country.
Dr Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer for British Columbia, said the province was in a pretty good position.  Transmissions, hospitals and deaths have dropped.
He said that meant it was time to move away from public health orders.  The province, however, offers a fourth dose of the vaccine to the elderly.  This means starting with residents of long-term care and assisted living and, in the coming weeks, including people over the age of 70 in the community.
Quebec said it would also expand access to fourth installments, while Ontario said it would announce a plan Wednesday to begin offering an additional boost to people 60 and older.
“Our medical advisers have recommended στο going to 60 to provide an extra level of protection to Ontarians,” Health Minister Christine Eliot told the county legislature.
The fourth installments in Ontario are already available to long-term care and nursing residents, as well as those who are immunosuppressed.
The Ontario government’s plan comes as hospitalizations there increase.  The county reported 1,091 people in hospital with COVID-19, nearly 40 percent higher than a week ago.
Ontario ended mask orders in most public places two weeks ago, with the exception of public transportation and healthcare facilities.
This Canadian Press report was first published on April 5, 2022.
– Records by Kevin Bissett in Fredericton, Jacob Serebrin in Quebec and Holly McKenzie-Sutter in Toronto