Tam urges Canadians to keep wearing masks

As Quebec and other provinces prepare to lift mask mandates, federal public health officials are continuing to stress the benefits of face coverings.

At a pandemic update today, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, told reporters: “For me it's clear, it's a good idea to wear a mask when you enter public spaces with other people.”

When it comes to transportation and workplaces, “any layer of protection to ... protect each other is a good idea, whether they are mandated or not,” she added. “From a public health perspective, we're recommending what I would call vaccine-plus-other-layers for now, because we're in a period of uncertainty where the virus is still undergoing evolution so getting up to date with vaccines plus wearing a mask is still a very good idea.”

Restrictions are being loosened across Canada at a time when some other countries, including in Europe, are facing rising case counts.

Tam said Canadians should “keep the layer of masking as much as possible. Yes, it is a personal decision at this point where mandates are being removed, which is a difficult period of adjustment. But I would say, given the possibility of the uptick in cases (in Canada), it's prudent to just wear a mask for now.”

Meanwhile, Quebec reported 13 more deaths attributed to COVID-19 on Friday and a 13-patient drop in hospitalizations.

There were 1,021 patients hospitalized with COVID -19 in the province after 76 people were admitted and 89 were discharged in the previous 24 hours. Authorities say 45 patients are in intensive care, a drop of five patients.