Pneumonia uptick part of decision to reintroduce mask mandate in N.L., disease specialist says

An infectious disease specialist in Newfoundland and Labrador says re-establishing a mask mandate in health-care facilities is a tool to get ahead of a surge in respiratory illness — which includes a notable increase in the amount of people presenting with symptoms of pneumonia.

"All the different pathogens that have been circulating have been part of the decision to get the masks back into health-care facilities for the time being. It seems like every few months something is popping up that's a newish pathogen [with a surge] that we haven't seen before," Dr. Natalie Bridger, clinical chief of infection prevention and control for the eastern zone of N.L. Health Services, told CBC News Monday.

Masks will be required in Newfoundland and Labrador health-care facilities as of Tuesday morning. That includes clinical areas, waiting rooms and nursing stations. It also applies to all visitors and long-term care facilities.

The health authority plans to reassess the policy in March, but Bridger said it's a dynamic process and could change if epidemiology improves.

Bridger said re-implementing the mandate was triggered by an increase in the prevalence of respiratory illness this fall, including COVID-19, pertussis — of which an outbreak declaration is still in place — and an expected increase in influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

"We've noticed that this year people are presenting a little bit earlier than in previous years with respiratory symptoms," she said. "RSV, I expect, will be an issue. It hasn't taken off yet, but the whole purpose of this required mask policy is to try and get ahead of the big RSV, influenza and likely continued COVID surge in the later fall months."

This is the first provincewide mask mandate since February, when health-care facilities brought in a similar requirement to combat rising cases of respiratory illnesses.

Masks will be available for people at health-care facilities, Bridger said, adding she believes there won't be much pushback from patients or staff given a perceived increase in illness.

Another illness playing a role in the mask mandate is mycoplasma pneumonia, commonly known as atypical pneumonia or "walking pneumonia."

The bacterial infection usually impacts school aged children the most, Bridger said, but noted there has been an increases in cases including at the Janeway children's hospital.

"The difference between mycoplasma pneumonia and other bacterial pneumonia you hear about is that people can live their daily lives a little bit easier. So they're not, you know, sick in bed, not able to get out of bed and fevers and that sort of thing," she said.

"We don't always get a test, so we don't always know what the pathogen is. But we do know in the people that have been tested, we've been seeing more mycoplasma pneumonia this season than we have in previous seasons."

Bridger said symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia can include a runny nose, cough and watery or red eyes. People who are asthmatic may also experience amplified symptoms, she said.

People are who ill with pneumonia should see their care provider or go to the emergency room in severe cases, as the infection can be treated with antibiotics.