Expert urges caution as COVID-19 transmission remains high
Summer is around the corner, and with the sixth wave of the pandemic appearing to slow, York Region's top doctor urges caution.
The medical officer of health, Dr. Barry Pakes, told CTV News that the pandemic is not over although this recent wave is easing.
"We are by no means out of the woods yet," said Dr. Pakes.
He noted that it is safe for those who are fully vaccinated and healthy to attend long weekend events but said people must be cognizant of those who are immunocompromised.
"In situations like that, when you know there's a person like that, or when you don't know where you're going to be in close contact with them in a confined space, you might want to wear a mask."
Dr. Pakes said medical experts are now looking towards the fall when many are preparing for future COVID-19 waves or other respiratory illnesses impacting Ontario hospitals.
He mentioned that a worst-case scenario would be a variant of the more severe virus, which would mean a renewed mask mandate or the reopening of mass immunization centres.
At present, Dr. Pakes said York Region is in "good shape" heading into summer.
"As good of shape as possible is where we want to end up. Transmission is still fairly high, meaning people who are still vulnerable are still worried."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hamas rocket attack from Gaza sets off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv for the first time in months
Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv for the first time in months on Sunday in a show of resilience more than seven months into Israel's massive air, sea and ground offensive.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
'Inspires a sense of adventure': Sask. man conquers Mount Everest
A Saskatchewan man made it to the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Indianapolis 500 delayed as strong storm forces fans to evacuate Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed as a strong storm pushed through the area Sunday, forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to evacuate about 125,000 fans who had already arrived for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
At least 9 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least nine people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.