Masks could soon be made mandatory in Ottawa parks

Masks could soon become mandatory in city parks as public health officials grasp for waysto wrestle the spread of COVID-19 under control before it overwhelms local hospitals.

On Wednesday, Dr.BrentMoloughney, Ottawa's deputy medical officer of health, announced plans to impose further restrictions inparks and other recreational areas in an attempt to "bend the curve."

"We are at a major, major point here as a city," Moloughney said."The situation in Ottawa is the worstthat it has been to date during this pandemic."

• Key COVID-19 numbers in the Ottawa area today
• Some city parks could close early this weekend

Details of the restrictions, which would come by way of aSection 22 order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, are still being decided,but will likely include a cap on the number of people allowed to use playgrounds and basketball courts at any one time, as well as a mandatory mask policy in some outdoor public settings.

Currently, masks are only required in indoor public settings, though their wider use is recommended.

The new ruleswould be similar to those enacted this pastwinter, when Ottawa Public Health limited the number of people allowed onsleddinghills andrequired masks be worn near skating rinks, Moloughney said.

Ontarians are currently under a four-week provincewide stay-at-home order, and schools will remain closed after spring break.

Earlier on Wednesday, city staff announced plans toclose some city parks two hours earlyat 9 p.m. to prevent gatherings.

Hospitalizations worrying

Moloughneysaid he'sespecially concerned by the rate of hospitalizations during this third wave of COVID-19. The number of patients is doubling every 12 daysandintensive care units are filling up fast, currently accounting for one-quarter ofCOVID-19 admissions.

Local hospitals are admitting patients from other hard-hit regions, and CHEO, eastern Ontario's children's hospital in Ottawa, says it's preparing toadmit adult patients for the first time in its history.

• CHEO readying ICU for adult patients
• Surge of COVID-19 patients pushing Ottawa hospitals to the limit
• Halted surgeries leaving patients in anxious limbo

Variants of the original COVID-19 virus are exacerbating the problem, and are now responsible for the majority of cases, said Moloughney. They're also striking younger people, and making them sicker.

Health officials continue to remind residents to limit contact to those within their own households, keep two metres between themselves and others, and wear masks. Vaccinesalone won't change the pandemic's course, Moloughneysaid.

Coun. Keith Egli, chair of Ottawa's board of health, cautioned those whohave been vaccinated against actinglike the pandemic is over.

"We are not there yet. This is dangerous and is helping to contribute to the further spread of COVID in Ottawa," Egli said.

Moloughney urged residents to avoid outdoor gatherings, even if up to five people are allowed to congregate outside under Ontario's current guidelines.

"Staying with our households is really what we need to be doing," he said.