Toronto Hospitals Bring Back Masks Amidst Rise in Respiratory Viruses

The University Health Network (UHN) is making masks mandatory as respiratory illness season ramps up. Starting on Oct. 28, visitors to UHN sites will need to wear a mask when receiving or waiting for care.

"This requirement applies to patients, visitors, and staff. You must also still wear a mask in areas where many patients may be at a higher risk of illness," the hospital network said in a note posted on its website. The decision comes as the fall respiratory virus season picks up steam.

UHN, which includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehab, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and other sites, is trying to stay ahead of the curve. Dr. Susy Hota, medical director of infection prevention and control at UHN, told CP24 Monday that the masking policy is aimed at trying to head off the next wave of infection going into winter.

"We really wanted to be ahead of the curve in terms of when we expect respiratory viruses to really be taking off," Hota said. "And looking at what the trends were like last year, for example, we really noticed a lot more respiratory virus activity with COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, which is another common respiratory virus, as of November."

She said that that the masking policy is a tool which will be adjusted throughout the season as needed.

"We anticipate, again, looking at what we see in previous years, that by the end of February, the respiratory viruses should be coming down a little bit in terms of the prevalence," Hota said. "So we will be looking at the trends over time, reevaluating when would be an appropriate time."

Hota says this is the time to take preventative measures.

"We are seeing a steady, low-to-moderate level of respiratory viruses in the hospital system, in health-care settings, and of course within the community," Hota said. "But you know, things are manageable right now. This is our time for action to do the prevention that we have control over, like masking and vaccinating, etc."

Masking Requirements

As of Oct. 28, patients, visitors and staff will need to wear a mask while waiting for care, receiving care and in high-risk areas, UHN said in an update on its website.

The hospital network added there will be "extra precautions and limits" for patients in isolation and units with outbreaks. Meanwhile, masks will remain optional in food courts, lobbies and other common areas, the UHN update said.

More Masks Available

UHN-approved medical masks will be available at all entrances, outpatient clinics and in-patient units. Anyone who arrives at UHN wearing a cloth face covering or disposable face mask will be asked to wear a medical mask instead, the hospital network said. However, people arriving in N95 or KN95 masks can keep them on.

Respiratory Virus Season

Public Health Ontario reported 94 COVID-19 outbreaks and four deaths from Oct. 6-12. The public health agency reported 18 cases of influenza in that same period.

According to Health Canada, there’s a new COVID-19 variant — XEC — on the rise in the country. The strain, an Omicron subvariant that was first identified in Germany in June, made up an estimated 12.9 per cent of cases nation-wide earlier this month.