A press release received this morning from the Renfrew County & District Health Unit (RCDHU) recommends that residents of Renfrew County wear face masks where physical distancing is not possible. As RCDHU thanks all residents for their continued efforts in keeping our community safe in the fight against COVID-19, Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health states, “You are helping to keep the prevalence and incidence at bay within our community, and we thank you for your participation, cooperation and enthusiasm.”
As the provincial mobility restrictions are eased across the province, this week Dr. Cushman has recommended that residents of Renfrew County and District wear masks in public when physical distancing cannot be maintained. An example is wearing a mask in grocery stores or when you must come into close contact with others. This is supported by the increasing evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of face masks as a prevention tool in the transmission of COVID-19.
Assume anyone could transmit COVID-19
RCDHU recommends that with reports showing that 50 to 75 percent of individuals with COVID-19 infections have no symptoms or mild symptoms, it is important that we continue to act as though anyone could transmit the infection. Therefore, it is important that we all continue to take the necessary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Some of these measures include:
- wearing a mask when maintaining a 2-metre distance is not possible
- cleaning your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
- practising physical distancing
- staying home if you are ill.
How to make and use a mask correctly
For information on how to make a non-medical mask visit the Government of Canada’s instructions for Non-medical masks and face coverings: Sew and no-sew instructions.
Public Health Ontario has produced videos about appropriate steps on mask use.
For more information on masks and facial coverings, or all things COVID-19 related, visit RCDHU’s website at or call RCDHU at 613-735-8651 ext. 516.
Saar,T. RCDHU(2020,May5) Residents asked to wear masks where physical distancing is not possible [media release]
photo anna-shvets-pexels
