‘Over the edge’: Quebec nursing agency laments ‘mess’ caused by Omicron variant

Some health-care workers in Quebec fear they have reached a breaking point as the province set a new single-day record with 5,043 COVID-19 cases Tuesday.

Quebec has seen a 111 per cent increase in cases over the last seven days. Hospitalizations are up 42 per cent and ICU numbers climbed by 17 per cent over that timeframe.

Testing centres are being overwhelmed by the pandemic’s fifth wave, with long lineups to get a test and delays in results due to the Omicron variant.

“It’s evident that this variant is highly contagious,” said Melanie Jade Boulerice, the CEO of Nomadic Nurse Agency. “Our hospitals have been overwhelmed, this is not new. However this is just going to push it right over the edge.

“The contagiousness of this is absolutely insane, but we shouldn’t be in this type of mess again.”

The Quebec government announced tough new restrictions Monday. Bars, movie theatres and other entertainment venues were closed by the province. Restaurants will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity but will be required to close by 10 p.m.

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante declared a state of emergency for the city Tuesday.

And Quebec Premier Francois Legault hinted at new measures coming Wednesday.

Comme dans beaucoup d’endroits dans le monde, le Québec est confronté à des choix très difficiles.
Ce qui nous guide, c’est la capacité qu’on aura ou non de soigner les Québécois malades dans les prochaines semaines. On vous revient demain avec nos décisions.

— François Legault (@francoislegault) December 21, 2021

“Our reality is that we do see the gross severity of it, and we need people to stay at home and be safe this holiday season,” said Boulerice. “I’m sorry to say, but this isn’t something I wanted for anybody this year.”

Health Minister Christian Dubé has asked Quebecers to only get tested for COVID-19 if symptomatic.
Boulerice thinks that’s problematic.

“I think that’s quite a tricky road he’s heading down because if you’re telling people not to get tested, that’s also telling people not to get tested and do whatever it is they have to do,” she said.

Pharmacies began handing out free rapid tests on Monday, but some quickly ran out. The government says more are on the way.

But many Quebecers vented their frustrations online in the past few days, saying they feel abandoned by the province.

“So, I got COVID. I’m doing relatively fine, no major symptoms,” tweeted Arpon Basu. “But yesterday was an embarrassment. My wife and I, along with hundreds of others, waited two hours outside to get tested at a public clinic. Two hours. Outside. The workers inside were burnt out. Do better, M. Dubé.”

“Wonder how many people are going to catch covid by simply waiting in line for hours to get tested with other people who are sick/have come in contact with someone with covid. Our system is ridiculous. Make it make sense,” tweeted Casandra Bentivoglio.

So, I got COVID. I’m doing relatively fine, no major symptoms. But yesterday was an embarrassment. My wife and I, along with hundreds of others, waited two hours outside to get tested at a public clinic. Two hours. Outside. The workers inside were burnt out. Do better, M. Dubé. https://t.co/3PtURTBvCK

— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) December 21, 2021

Wonder how many people are going to catch covid by simply waiting in line for hours to get tested with other people who are sick/have come in contact with someone with covid. Our system is ridiculous. Make it make sense.

— Casandra Bentivoglio (@casbentivoglio) December 21, 2021