Canadians required to self-quarantine due to monkeypox should receive federal aid, according to Dr. Theresa Tam. The remarks by the chief public health officer followed estimates the virus has resulted in 28 hospitalizations in Canada..“If we can do it in the COVID-19 context I think we should think about it more broadly for infectious diseases,” Dr. Tam told reporters Friday. “Support people who do the right thing,” she added..“I am wondering if the federal government is planning any sort of programming to provide temporary funding for those dealing with isolation?” asked a reporter. “Yes I think that’s a question and a very live issue,” replied Tam..“It’s important that those who cannot support themselves get other supports,” said Tam. “And I think that can come in different ways and by all different levels of government.”.The Public Health Agency counted 1,059 cases of monkeypox in Canada, mainly in Ontario (411 cases), Québec (426 cases), British Columbia (98) and Alberta (19). A handful of cases were reported in Saskatchewan and Yukon and none at all in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador..“It’s important to support those who need to be in isolation to do so,” said Tam. “We’re supporting community-based organizations which is great when it comes to different ways of reducing risks both from acquiring the disease and reducing the risk of spread.”.There were no monkeypox deaths in Canada. Twenty-eight patients have been hospitalized. Two were in intensive care, said the Public Health Agency..“The majority of confirmed cases in Canada with available information on exposure history reported intimate sexual contact with other men,” said Dr. Tam. “Nationally less than 1% of confirmed cases with available information on age and sex were females and people under 20 years of age.”.The virus is not airborne like COVID but spread through direct physical contact, Tam said. Patients are required to self-isolate for 30 days..The Health Agency said 50,000 Canadians had received voluntary monkeypox vaccinations. “In the current outbreak in Canada we’re largely seeing person-to-person spread,” Tam explained..“This can occur when someone has close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, respiratory droplets or skin sores,” said Tam. “It may also occur through direct contact with clothing, sheets or other personal items that have been in contact with someone infected with the virus.”
