Millions of face masks stockpiled by Ontario in the aftermath of the SARS outbre...
TORONTO - Millions of face masks stockpiled by Ontario in the aftermath of the SARS outbreak to protect healthcare workers during a future epidemic have expired, according to provincial officials and documents, raising questions about the readiness of Canada’s most populous province to deal with the spreading coronavirus.
Public health officials have said masks may be less effective beyond the expiration date determined by the manufacturer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the past has recommended use of expired masks only under “crisis” shortage situations. Asked whether provincial officials have any masks on hand, the ministry did not answer directly. It said health organizations are getting their usual supply shipments, adding: “We are working with them and our supply chain partners to ensure they continue to have adequate access to supplies as they continue to effectively respond to COVID-19,” the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Canadian officials have said they are prepared to deal with the novel coronavirus because of lessons learned from the SARS outbreak involving another coronavirus. SARS killed 44 people in the Toronto area in 2002 and 2003 after a series of hospital and public health failures.As of 2017, the preparatory stockpile amassed by Ontario included 26,000 pallets of supplies: respirators, face shields, needles and more.
“We are hearing from you through our email address about concerns about ... supply,” Ontario’s health ministry wrote in a Feb. 12 document sent to healthcare organizations. “We are confident that we have sufficient inventory across the province to respond to the situation on the ground today.” Asked during a news conference on Friday how many masks the federal government possesses, Tam declined to say, adding that key medical supplies like N95 masks are a provincial responsibility rather than a federal one, though the federal government can coordinate group purchases.In a Monday letter to provincial premiers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the federal government is “already leading a bulk procurement of personal protective equipment.
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