The province reported 18 new hospitalizations last week and nine deaths the previous week due to COVID-19. Dr Janice Fitzgerald says despite these numbers, they remain low compared to the overall population. He says that sometimes, not all the information reported in a particular week was available in the previous seven days. In the meantime, Public Health continues to monitor cases of COVID across the province. Testing takes place in acute care settings, wastewater is also monitored, and citizens are encouraged to report positive results from rapid tests, “that helps us,” says Fitzgerald. (Stock photo) Federal health officials are urging Canadians to wear face masks indoors as the incidence of respiratory viruses soars, adding extra stress to Canadian hospitals. Influenza, RSV and enterovirus outbreaks are also circulating in this province. Health Service Medical Director Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says that while the public health emergency that allowed officials to mandate masks during the pandemic is now over, it’s always wise to practice various levels of disease protection as temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors. It says wearing a mask remains one of their top recommendations for people who may be at risk of contracting or spreading disease. Dr. Fitzgerald expects the incidence of a variety of respiratory illnesses, including COVID, to increase as the holiday season approaches and peak early in the new year.
