"The most important finding from this study is that contrary to the accepted thought that fewer people are dying because infection rates are reduced by masks, this was not the case," wrote Dr. Fögen.
Chinese social media users are saying the US could be the source of the rise in monkeypox cases, with conspiracy theories stating the US deliberately leaked the virus which has now spread to at least a dozen countries.
Mask mandates are being lifted for public servants while government departments and agencies will return to the workplace at full capacity, Health Canada said in an update of its occupational health guidance on May 16.
