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| Canadian nurses association issues SARS warning |
| CCTV.COM 2003-06-19 13:06:39 |
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The nurses association in Canada's Ontario province has expressed grave concerns about the effectiveness of masks against severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS）, including the possibility of further infections, reported on Wednesday.
Barb Wahl, president of the Ontario Nurses Association （ONA）, said that a letter, in which the association accuses the Ontario Labor Ministry of easing off fit－testing of masks to guard against the SARS virus has been sent to the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman.
"There is ample evidence that many of the Toronto－area hospitals have not met the basic health and safety requirement for mask fit－testing as set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act," Wahl said in the letter.
"ONA is taking this strong position because of our serious concerns for the health of the public and our members. If these two basic measures are addressed, Toronto, Ontario will be a safer place for all, visitors and residents," he said.
The union is demanding an explanation from the province about why nurses are still concerned about SARS and the possibility of further infections.
ONA represents 46,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals working in hospitals, long－term care facilities, community agencies, industry and other settings across Ontario.
Toronto is the hardest hit area by SARS in Canada. The SARS death toll in the area is 34, but the number of active probable cases in and around Toronto －－ the only region in Canada with active SARS cases －－ fell to 37 on Tuesday, down from 64 a week earlier.
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Editor: Yang Feiyang CCTV.com
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