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By Canadian Press

Saskatchewan’s top doctor not recommending mask as respiratory virus rates rise

Nov 15, 2022 | 3:22 PM

REGINA – Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer is not recommending masks as the province deals with a trifecta of respiratory viruses.

Dr. Saqib Shahab says coughs and colds are returning after a two-year hiatus, and that people can expect to get sick two to four times a year.

Instead of recommending everyone wear masks in public settings, Shahab says people need to do their own risk assessment and stay home when sick.

He says the flu and respiratory syncytial virus are more prominent in the province, with COVID-19 having hit a plateau.

Shahab says this is creating high rates of absenteeism in some schools, with one school reporting 50 per cent of their students were out sick.

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Shahab says he won’t be bringing back a mask mandate to address the rise in children getting sick, because the illnesses are mild and can be treated with rest and plenty of fluids.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2022.

The Canadian Press