According to health professionals in Canada, cases of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) will possibly increase after social distancing restrictions resulting from the new coronavirus pandemic are relaxed. The information is from Politico.
Saskatoon Sexual Health director Heather Hale told the website that one consequence of the quarantine is the temporary closure of clinics and prevention, testing and treatment options or having their spaces used for Covid-19 treatments. Access to condoms and safe abortion have therefore been compromised, and perhaps even expanded.
Furthermore, Hale says that when isolation ends, many people will likely seek to have sex with different partners, which increases the risk of spreading STIs – while health professionals are dedicated to treating Covid-19. Another worrying factor, according to the executive, is the fact that in nine out of ten provinces in Canada there were already outbreaks of STIs even before the coronavirus.
“Having access to testing is going to be important as people move out of the house and increase these [relationship] circles,” Hale said, referring to sexual relations with more than one partner.
