Toronto’s board of health asked the city’s top doctor on Tuesday to consider reinstating mask mandates amid a surge in viral illnesses that are sending children to hospital at alarming rates.
The request came a day after the chief of staff of an Ottawa children’s hospital urged a widespread return to indoor coverage as the flu, COVID-19 and a childhood virus circulate, saying the public must play a role in protecting the youngest community members.
In Toronto, the public health board passed a resolution asking Dr. Eileen de Villa to “urgently explore all avenues to reissue mask mandates, starting with schools.”
“I think we really need a renewed sense of urgency,” said board member Kate Mulligan.
The request was aimed at reducing the spread of viruses and preventing pressure on children’s healthcare services.
Mulligan recalled a recent “terrifying” experience of transporting her young child to the recovery room of a local ER and expressed concern that such resources become unavailable if child health services are stretched thin.
He called on public health to review mask mandates as parents of sick children face the threat of a particularly tough virus season.
De Villa said Toronto Public Health currently follows provincial guidelines — which do not require masks in most settings — but said the city could change course if the situation warrants.
“As we’ve seen in recent years, this virus has thrown some twists and turns in our path and we have to be ready to respond accordingly,” he told the health board meeting.
In Ottawa, CHEO’s chief of staff spoke to the city’s board of health Monday about the influx of patients at its children’s hospital and asked the public to resume wearing masks to protect children.
Dr. Lindy Samson said a record number of children are coming to the hospital with shortness of breath, fever and other ailments caused by illnesses such as the flu, respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, and COVID-19.
While the hospital is doing what it can, the public also has a role, Samson said.
“This is the time for our community to come together for our children,” he said.
“What we’re asking today is for our large community to put our masks back on whenever we’re in a crowded indoor space, including schools.”
Samson said the increase in children coming to CHEO has resulted in patients being treated in the emergency room and surgeries being postponed because there are no beds available. Other children are sent out of the area for care, he added.
Elsewhere in the province, a network of hospitals urged the public to shelter in crowded indoor spaces as respiratory viruses circulate.
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance said it is facing pressures in pediatrics with RSV cases and already more flu cases than in the entire last flu season.
Meanwhile, an Ontario university announced Tuesday that it will reinstate a mandatory mask policy for indoor academic activities.
The University of Waterloo said the policy that will take effect Wednesday was prompted by data showing increased levels of COVID-19 and other circulating viruses and a desire to minimize disruptions in the fall exam period.
Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s chief medical officer of health, told The Canadian Press last week that he would soon make a decision about withholding recommendations based on viral disease trends straining the health system.
Moore said the province is facing a “triple threat” of a bad flu season, COVID-19 and a resurgence of RSV.
He said if COVID-19 starts to affect the ability to reduce the surgery backlog, he would suggest the government make a mask recommendation in some domestic settings, and if there are further results, he would recommend mask orders be reinstated.
Ottawa’s top doctor recommended Monday that people return to wearing masks as levels of COVID-19 remain high and other viral illnesses such as the flu spread in an “exceptional respiratory season.”
The city’s board of health voted Monday night to send a letter to Ontario’s premier, health minister and chief medical officer asking for data and projections on this year’s respiratory disease season and its projected impact on the health system.
The board also voted to ask the province to “intensify the visibility and reach of a mass health communication campaign” about the benefits of coverage and vaccination.
A spokeswoman for Health Minister Sylvia Jones would not say whether the province would provide the requested data, but said vaccinations for COVID-19 and flu “remain the best tool to keep people healthy and out of hospital.”
“The ministry, including the Office of the Chief Health Officer, is working with public health units during the respiratory illness season and continues to monitor the impact on the health system,” Alexandra Adamo wrote in a statement.
Vaccination rates against COVID-19 are relatively low among children compared to the Canadian adult population. Federal data shows that only one percent of children ages four and under have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 41 percent of children ages five to 11 have had two shots.
The vaccination rate jumps to 80 percent for teenagers who get two doses.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 8, 2022.
Holly McKenzie-Sutter, The Canadian Press
