Ottawa hospitals keeping mandatory masking rules in place as Ontario lifts mask mandate
Masks will continue to be mandatory in Ottawa hospitals after Ontario lifts its mask mandate this weekend.
Most of the province's remaining masking requirements, including on public transit and in hospitals, will expire on Saturday. Chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore says organizations may implement their own policies.
CHEO, the Montfort Hospital, Queensway Carleton Hospital and the Ottawa Hospital have all said masks will continue to be mandatory in the hospitals.
CHEO says it is maintaining "our status quo" for the mask mandate "because it's prudent."
"As many people in the community shed layers of COVID-19 protection, CHEO needs to continue with all the layers of protection we have, including entrance screening and masking for everyone," CHEO said in a statement.
"Importantly, CHEO still has a significant percentage of sick and vulnerable children in our care who are not eligible for vaccination against COVID-19."
The Montfort Hospital says all staff members, patients and visitors will be required to wear the surgical mask given to them at the entrance.
"And wear the mask at all times while they are inside the hospital," Montfort Hospital said. "This precaution is necessary because we provide health care and services to vulnerable or immunocompromised individuals."
The Ottawa Hospital said the mandatory mask requirement will remain in effect across the Civic Campus, the General Campus and the Riverside Campus.
"As a hospital, we have a duty to care for and protect our patients, staff, and communities," the Ottawa Hospital said.
The Queensway Carleton Hospital will "continue asking anyone" entering the hospital to wear a mask.
"Queensway Carleton Hospital will continue asking anyone who comes into our hospital to wear a mask, including staff and visitors," said QCH in a statement Thursday morning. "We provide care for many patients who are vulnerable or immunocompromised and their safety, care and recovery is of upmost importance."
With Ontario lifting the masking requirements in most settings, Ottawa's medical officer of health says widespread mask use in the community is no longer required.
"Writing as the Medical Officer of Health, I am no longer of the opinion that widespread mask use in the community is required," Dr. Etches said in a memo to council late Wednesday afternoon.
Etches says Ottawa's COVID-19 indicators are "moving in the right direction", but warns COVID is "still present in the community."
"OPH continues to recommend that everyone assess their own risk and take steps to protect themselves and those around them who may be at greater risk."
Etches recommends using layers of protection, including gathering outdoors, wearing a mask indoors when physical distancing may be difficult and staying home when you're sick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.