Rise in COVID cases shouldn’t come as a surprise says local epidemiologist

By Anil Jhalli

With mask mandates now a thing of the past in the majority of settings in Ontario, one epidemiologist says that people shouldn't be shocked that the number of infections in relation to COVID-19 are rising. 

Dr. Christopher Labos, an epidemiologist and cardiologist based out of Montreal, said on The Rob Snow Show on March 30 that lifting mask mandates, the lack of available testing and not making air quality in indoor areas a priority have all contributed into the rising number of cases to the latest variant of COVID-19. 

Dr. Labos noted that all signs point to a sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We saw this coming, and we shouldn't be shocked this is happening,” said Dr. Labos. “We have to take basic precautionary measures.”

In Ontario, masks mandates have been lifted since March 21, while in Quebec, mandates are expected to be lifted in the coming weeks. 

“Everything suggests that cases are going on the upwards,” he added. “We aren't testing as much as we were before, and we are inferring and guessing a little bit.”

Dr. Labos said how people act going forward as things become more relaxed will determine the continued spread of the virus. He suggests that people should still get their booster shot if they haven't received one yet and continue to wear a mask indoors if you don't know the people around you, especially in smaller spaces where there isn't a lot of room to move around. 

“Most people understand that this is an airborne virus, so wearing masks indoors makes sense,” he said. 

He said there is a difference between learning to live with the virus, and ignoring that it still exists. 

“We are dangerously close to an area where we are ignoring COVID,” he continued. “If you want to limit the spread, test people and have appropriate contact tracing and make people where masks in public settings.”

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Labos below. 

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