Ontario’s medical health officer says the province could see a return of mask mandates

In a recent interview, Ontario’s medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore says there could be a return of the mask mandate in the province if the situation worsens.

Ontario’s medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore warned that if covid-19 cases continue rising with the approach of winter, the province’s struggling healthcare system could lead the Ontario government to re-implement the mask mandate.

Dr. Moore cited the rising case numbers and the fact that winter is approaching as to why Ontarians could see another mandatory mask policy in the province, urging Ontarians to get their boosters and wear masks to avoid a rise in cases and hospitalizations.

In the interview, Dr. Moore said “If there is any significant impact on our health system where we can’t care for Ontarians appropriately, I will absolutely have the conversation with government (around) whether we have to mandate masking for a set period of time,”.

According to the Ontario government, the current weekly case numbers are similar “compared to last week among those eligible for testing”.

“The number of reported cases in Ontario was 8,929 this week, similar when compared to 8,306 last week.”

However, “a gradual increase in case numbers is observed when looking back over the past 4 weeks.”

The government also said that this week hospital admissions are down 21% and deaths are down 29% as compared to last week.

In the interview with Global News, Dr. Moore said the vaccination rate of Ontarians over the age of 70 was “not acceptable” since it stands at 16%, adding that “if necessary” mandatory masking might come back.

He also urged more people to get an appointment to get their fourth dose, stating “Sixteen per cent is absolutely not acceptable to me,”.