Some hospitals in Eastern Ontario require those in patient care areas to wear masks as the respiratory virus season approaches.

The Kingston Health Sciences Centre states on its website that wearing a mask is now mandatory in the emergency department, pediatric outpatient clinic, and urgent care center.

The hospital also strongly recommends wearing masks in clinical areas where there are at-risk patients, including oncology units, neonatal intensive care, and dialysis.

The primary reason for the change and return to precautionary measures is the rising rate of COVID-19 transmission in southeastern Ontario.

The Ottawa Hospital clarifies that as of Monday, masks will be required in all clinical areas and waiting rooms.

Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa also states that people must wear masks in those areas, effective immediately.

Many hospitals in the Toronto area have continued to request mask-wearing in patient care areas even as other hospitals in the province have ceased doing so.

Public Health Agency of Canada has reported an increase in COVID-19 activity since early August.

Health officials also expect a rise in flu cases and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this fall.