With COVID-19 Omicron cases beginning to rise in Saskatchewan, chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab has advice about what type of mask is the most effective.
As of Thursday, there are 27 confirmed cases of Omicron in the province and 121 probable cases detected through screening.
During a COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, Shahab said a tightly worn three-layer mask has always been a good option. Some people may also choose to add a filter to the mask.
For those who are at higher risk, Shahab suggests a medical mask that fits well around the face and has a nose clip to prevent leakage from the sides.
Shahab noted that many people are considering upgrading their mask to a KN95 or N95 respirator, which may be especially important for those who are severely immunosuppressed and are in a situation where they could be exposed.
“It could be important in crowded settings with poor ventilation,” Shahab said.
In Manitoba, the provincial government is providing free boxes of KN95 masks at liquor stores and casinos.
Health officials across the country have also advised people to pick up N95 masks and say single-layer cloth masks won’t cut it against Omicron.
— with a file from Shane Gibson, Kayla McLean