Instead of presenting an update in person to the media, Dre Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, today issued the following statement:
“105,091 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Canada, including 8,663 deaths. 65% of people have recovered. To date, laboratories across Canada have screened more than 2,885,000 people for COVID-19. In the past week, an average of 39,000 people per day were screened, 1% of whom tested positive.
In recent days, as the company resumes operations and the coronavirus continues to be present in many communities, other Canadian jurisdictions have made it mandatory to wear a non-medical mask or face covering on site indoor audiences to protect their populations and prevent new outbreaks.
The masks represent an additional layer of protection, in addition to other COVID-19 prevention measures such as physical distance, frequent hand washing and staying at home when you are sick. Wear a mask in places where physical distance is impossible or when it is not certain that you can stay at a distance of two meters.
A cloth mask or face cover reduces the risk of other people being exposed to your respiratory droplets. If you go out, always have a mask with you in case you need it in a confined space or in a crowded place.
Make sure your mask fits properly and covers your nose, mouth and chin, and is securely attached to your head with clips or loops over the ear so that you don’t have to adjust it frequently. Try not to touch the mask or your face, as this is a possible route of infection.
Some people are unaware that the outside of the masks can become contaminated. Wash your hands with soap and water or a Health Canada approved hand sanitizer before putting on and taking off, and after doing so. A mask is a personal item; avoid sharing it.
Also, keep in mind that some people cannot or should not wear them. Indeed, masks are not recommended for people who suffer from an illness or a handicap that complicates the wearing or removal of a mask, people who have difficulty breathing and children under the age of two years.
Always take precautions when going out to prevent new infections and to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Canada.
Visit the site Canada.ca/le-coronavirus to find out how to wear a non-medical mask correctly, to know the number of cases and to obtain public health advice and directives. ”
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