File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / gemphotographyFile photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / gemphotography
Midwestern

Ontario's MOH says province is on pace to meet reopening targets

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health says we're on the right track when it comes to reopening, but it still must be done cautiously.

Dr. Kieran Moore says while Omicron is highly infectious, there are safe effective vaccines, and inpatient and outpatient treatments.

"It comes to a time when we are going to have to decide how many public health measures we'll maintain going forward," said Dr. Moore. "And how we can try to maintain our mental, physical, social, economical, educational well being in the face of an on-going threat from this string of viruses."

He did mention that masking would be one of the last public health measures to go as it helps protect the most vulnerable in society.

"In the interim, of all the measures, I think the masking will be the last to go," added Dr. Moore. "Certainly we will have to review proof of vaccination. I think it's common sense on hand hygiene and distancing."

He also talked about booster doses of the vaccine and how the statistics show they play a role.

"In recent studies that are going to get published from Ontario data, show up to 95 per cent protection of three doses against severe outcomes associated with this virus," explained Moore.

February 21st is the next date the province has set to lift more measures.

Read More Local Stories