Renfrew County’s top doc urges small gatherings ahead of Easter weekend

Ahead of the Easter long weekend, one doctor is urging residents to proceed with caution when it comes to gatherings especially as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the province. 

Dr. Robert Cushman, the acting chief medical of health in Renfrew County, says that events and ceremonies during Easter tend to have an invitation for larger crowds.

“You have to be very careful,” he explained to CityNews on Wednesday, April 13. “Just sharing food at mass or something like that, so I think people have to be really careful and this is going to be an important weekend, it could add to the challenge of the sixth wave.” 

In keeping gatherings small throughout the weekend, he urges those who are eligible to get their fourth booster dose, and wear masks in public spaces while increasing hand hygiene.

While people are gathering with others, they must be mindful of those who could be vulnerable such as senior citizens, for example, who have are more at-risk of contracting the virus.

Dr. Cushman explains that COVID-19 cases could significantly rise during and after the long weekend. He says COVID cases are sharply on the rise following the lifting of most of the restrictions nearly three weeks ago.

“There's a very distinct uphill gradient from (after the lifting of the mandate),” he explains. “And we've seen it with the wastewater, we've seen it with the percent positivity and cases are a problem.”

He points out that hospitalizations are also increasing, particularly in Ottawa. He says that Renfrew County has yet to see a drop in hospitalizations.

As for kids returning from the Easter break, he is hopeful that Renfrew County schools and other schools will soon re-implement a mask mandate for kids, similar to the decision from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's decision on Tuesday, April 12. 

“We're having some very good discussions with the schools and we're recommending masks highly,” he explained.

“And because there's four days off coming soon, we're thinking very seriously about if something can be done for the coming week.” He adds that it's often challenging when school boards are not on the same page when it comes to reinforcing mandates. 

Right now in Renfrew county schools, mask wearing for kids and teachers remain optional.