The Medical Officer of Health for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is hoping COVID-19 measures remain in place in high risk settings.
Dr. Jim Chirico made the comment during an online media conference; the first one held by the local health unit in over a month.
“What we are trying to do is advocating to keep the measures in place for high-risk settings which are due to expire April 27 and advocate to have those extended to those high-risk populations,” said Dr. Chirico.
However, Chirico does not believe mask mandates for the general public will be implemented again.
“There are not any indications that the government is going to reverse its decision and impose any mask mandates,” he said.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is reminding the public to layer their protection against COVID-19.
“We are well into the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic,” states Dr. Jim Chirico.
“We should remain diligent and layer our protection, including wearing a well-fitted three-layer face covering in public indoor settings, staying home when you are ill, completing a self-assessment daily and staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines.”
Chirico says this sixth wave is not over yet.
“We don’t know if we have peaked and the best way to protect yourself as well as those around you and the health care system is to be up to date on all of your immunizations and to continue to use masking,” said Chirico.
“Those are the best ways of getting through this wave and hopefully things will ease off over the next couple of weeks as predicted.”
Chirico noted that eligibility has expanded for those wishing to receive their fourth dose, or second booster dose, of the COVID-19 vaccine to include:
- ·People 60 years of age or older who received a third dose (first booster) 5 months (140 days) ago.
- ·First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members (18+) who received a third dose (first booster) 5 months (140 days) ago.
As previously announced, the following groups are still eligible for a fourth dose:
- Adults (18 years of age and older) who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and received a three-dose primary series, with the third dose at least three months (84 days) ago.
- Youth (12-17 year olds) who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and received a three-dose primary series, with the third dose at least six months (168 days) ago.
- Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and older adults living in other congregate settings.
- Adults age 18 and older who have proof of immunization AND have received three doses of any non-Health Canada authorized COVID-19 vaccine at the appropriate interval.
“Receiving your fourth dose is a strong layer of protection to prevent serious illness against COVID-19,” explains Chirico. “Anyone who is not up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged to book an appointment or walk into any of our clinics.”
For more information on vaccine clinics, visit myhealthunit.ca/GetVaccinated. The Health Unit’s COVID-19 call centre is also available to book appointments Monday to Friday at 1-844-478-1400.
