With the recent opening of pools in some of Canada's more densely populated cities, questions about pool safety are reasonably at the forefront of summer recreation consideration.
Even before the COVID epidemic began, pools have been stigmatized for the correlation between their use and infection rates for various viruses. Take a look at this concerning excerpt from a journal documented on JamaNetwork.com :
"Between 2000 and 2014, public health authorities reported 493 pool, hot tub, or water park–linked disease outbreaks to the CDC. These outbreaks caused at least 27 219 cases and 8 deaths, and nearly one-third (32%) of them occurred at hotels..."
Setting aside the COVID threat for a moment, let's look at the most popular infectious medical issue pools pose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention :
"Diarrhea is the most common recreational water illness. People who are already sick with diarrhea can spread it to others when they get in recreational water. People typically have about 0.14 grams of poop (similar to a few grains of sand) on their bodies at any given time. When a person who is sick with diarrhea gets in the water, that tiny amount of poop on their body can wash into the water around them and contaminate it with germs. If someone else swallows the contaminated water, they can become infected."
Bringing attention back to COVID, a respiratory-transmission type virus, the article further explains a more relevant root cause for risk:
"Other recreational water illnesses—such as skin, ear, respiratory, eye, and other infections—can be caused by germs that naturally live in the water and soil. If the chemicals used to kill germs (chlorine or bromine) in pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds are not kept at the right level, these germs can multiply and make swimmers sick."
While there are recommended safety guidelines that the CDC suggests for pool operators, we recommend staying on the safe side and avoiding pools this summer!
Original date of publishing: July 26, 2021
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on credible resources, however, they are neither interpreted nor delivered by medical professionals. A medical professional should always be consulted before making choices that may affect your health.
Not sure which vaccine to take? Check out this article on Moderna vs Pfizer
Looking for a jacuzzi tub or hot tub? Visit ArcticSpas.ca