Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer recommends Canadians continue to wear a mask and get boosted

During a COVID-19 update, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam advised Canadians to continue wearing masks, get booster doses and limit personal contacts as many provinces have seen a rise in COVID-19 case numbers in recent weeks.

“It doesn’t matter where you are in Canada right now, I would advise getting that booster shot, masking and improving ventilation,” Tam said.

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released a statement recommending that all adults and immunocompromised children aged 12-17 get a COVID-19 booster shot.

It is also recommending that all children aged 12-17 be offered a booster dose.

“I think the message today is get up to date with your vaccination which includes a booster for the eligible population for all extensive purposes, that’s 18 plus and [it] also can be offered to adolescents. So that is the most important message,” Tam said.

On Monday, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said that the province is in a sixth wave, but that the province will not reinstate masking mandates.

Tam acknowledged during the press conference that provincial health authorities are trying to encourage good habits without forcing them on people.

The province reported 2,300 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.