Mask recommendations in Ontario are coming for COVID-19

Ontario's chief medical officer says he will issue more mask-wearing recommendations ahead of a “very challenging and challenging winter” to combat COVID-19.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore told CP24 Thursday that COVID-19 hospitalizations in the province have increased over the past few weeks.

“To reduce the risk of all these viruses being transmitted through personal contact, we're going to be making more recommendations about wearing masks,” Moore said. “(It's) going to be a very complex and difficult winter.”

CTV News spoke with Toronto's Ministry of Health, who clarified that Moore's proposals are aimed at the public, not at restoring the government's health measures.

Moore said he encourages all Ontarians to get a booster shot.

“Just yesterday, 30,000 people came in to get vaccinated. I wish those numbers were higher. We have the vaccine, we have the vaccinators, we have the capacity to see about 80,000 people a day,” Moore said.

Moore said he is concerned about the impact of the flu on Ontario's health care system this winter and is asking people to be up to date on all vaccines.

As of last week, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Ontario reached its highest level in two months.

The latest data released by the Ministry of Health shows 1,465 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Ontario hospitals, up from 1,265 the previous week and 1,141 on Sept. 22.

It is the highest number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 since Aug. 4 and is nearing the peak of the summer surge, which saw 1,492 hospitalizations on July 28.

“My recommendation is that anyone who is at risk for this virus, continue to wear a mask when you go in the door in a high-risk public place,” Moore said. “As we move forward, we will provide recommendations to the public about masking.”

Ontario residents age 12 and older can now order a bivalent COVID-19 booster as shipments of Pfizer's newly approved vaccine series arrive in the province this week.

On Friday, Health Canada approved the Omicron version of Pfizer's bivalent vaccine targeting the BA.4 and BA.5 strains. Previously, only Moderna's bivalent booster – available to those 18 and older – was approved and available in Ontario.

The province also announced today that, starting November 1, Ontarians will be able to get a flu shot from local health workers.