Mask mandates are back in B.C health-care facilities — should I be wearing a mask? Here's what to know

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British Columbia is once again requiring masks be worn in health-care facilities. In an email to CBC News, the province’s Ministry of Health said everyone including staff, patients, visitors and volunteers must wear masks in “areas where patients are actively seeking care."

The mandatory mask requirement is reportedly due to the province’s increase in influenza and RSV infections. According to the statement, COVID-19 infections are “stable but showing early sings of an increase.”

In addition to the mandate, in a recent interview with CBC's On The Coast. Jennifer Vines, interim medical director for public health response at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, encouraged people to get their flu shot.

"You can consider getting your COVID vaccine at the same time if you haven't had that one yet," Vines said.

B.C.'s mandate is provincial, but a Canadian expert says it's not the first reintroduction across the country.

"Many other hospitals and healthcare system networks have implemented this a while ago," Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist, told Yahoo Canada. "For example I work at Toronto's University Health Network, and the reimplementation of masking in patient-facing locations was implemented in the fall."

Similar mandates have been implemented in health-care facilities across Canada. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto's University Health Network said

Although masks are recommended by Health Canada in public spaces and when travelling to help prevent the spread of respiratory infections, they are not required.

Should I be wearing a mask right now?

Masks are still the preferred way to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like RSV, COVID-19 and influenza.

Wearing a mask in public spaces, including doctors' offices, nursing homes and long-term care facilities can help protect the most at-risk communities — including seniors and people with chronic conditions and existing respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Other ways to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses include:

• Washing your hands with soap and water

• Using an alcohol based hand-sanitizer

• Avoiding touching your mouth, nose, eyes or face

• Covering your mouth with your arm/elbow when you cough or sneeze

• Avoid or limit contact with people who are sick

Does requiring masks in hospital settings actually work?

A 2023 article by doctors from Harvard's Department of Population Medicine published to the New England Journal of Medicine highlighting the benefits of "strategic" masking in health-care settings as a means to curb the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

According to the article, requiring patient-facing staff and visitors to wear masks in hospitalized settings helps prevent hospital-acquired respiratory viral illnesses (nosocomial) by approximately 60 per cent. Although the authors acknowledged mask fatigue, it encouraged health-care facilities to "reimagine masking policies" to protect patients from respiratory viral infections, especially when viral activity is elevated, like during the flu season.

What respiratory infections are circulating in Canada?

The Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System (RVDSS) collects data from laboratories across the country and tracks the status of eight respiratory viruses, including the most predominant viruses: COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Influenza (including influenza A and influenza B).

COVID-19

XEC, which is a combination of Omicron subvariants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, remains the most popular COVID strain in Canada. Newly updated vaccines were designed before XEC emerged, however the latest vaccines will help protect against the subvariant.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Sneezing

• New or worsening cough

• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

• Fever

• Chills

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Loss of smell or taste

• Headache

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

RSV

As of Jan. 4, the RVDSS notes that positive RSV detections remain higher than COVID-19. The respiratory virus is particularly dangerous for children (especially those less than 2 years of age), seniors and people with chronic health conditions. RSV vaccines are currently available and are encouraged for at-risk populations, however access and cost of the vaccine varies by province.

Symptoms of RSV can include:

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Runny nose

• Wheezing

• Fever

Influenza, Influenza A and Influenza B

Influenza is a contagious infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused mostly by influenza A and B viruses. Influenza A is more common and typically spreads early in the flu season and can be spread between animals and humans. Influenza B often appears later in the season and can only be spread amongst humans.

As of Jan. 4, there has been a slight increase in influenza cases in Canada. The best way to protect yourself from influenza is through the flu vaccine, which is still available for Canadians to receive.

Symptoms of influenza can include:

• Cough

• Fever

• Muscle aches

• Fatigue

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Congestion

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Headaches

• Chills

• Loss of appetite

How do I know what kind of respiratory infection I have?

Since many respiratory infections have similar symptoms, your health-care provider may diagnose you based on your symptoms alone. Health-care providers may perform nose swabs to confirm the diagnosis. COVID-19 can be detected by using at-home tests.

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