Lambton's medical officer of health admits he doesn't get asked for dating advice very often.
The issue came up on CHOK's (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) COVID Community Update with Sue Storr Wednesday morning.
Dr. Sudit Ranade echoed comments made by British Columbia's provincial health officer that caution is recommended for those getting back into dating because kissing is an effective way of transmitting the COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Ranade said there always has been personal risk associated with dating.
"It is important to know who these people are that you're letting into your lives in a very intimate way, and to recognize that none of those activities have ever been zero risk," said Ranade. "The additional risk of COVID is not a meaningful difference from the risks you were facing before COVID if you were going to have intimate contact with somebody."
Dr. Ranade said COVID-19 is not the only thing you can get from kissing someone.
"We've known that for years and years. You can get influenza from kissing someone who has influenza, you can get a number of viruses, you can get a number of bacterial infections from doing kissing plus other activities."
The medical officer of health recommends going slow and being cautious when it comes to dating.
BC's Dr. Bonnie Henry said the risk of infection goes up depending on who your date has had contact with, and if they've been with a number of other people.
-With files from Sue Storr
