Dr. Boileau: Quebec in seventh wave of COVID-19, no new restrictions coming
Posted July 7, 2022 9:53 am.
Last Updated July 7, 2022 7:13 pm.
Quebec Public Health Director, Dr. Luc Boileau, said that a seventh wave of COVID-19 has taken hold in the province – but believes it will be weaker than previous waves.
No new restrictions are being imposed and the mask mandate is not being brought back, but urging those 60 and up and the immunocompromised to get their fourth dose as soon as possible. Also reminding people of the importance of the 10-day isolation period if infected with COVID.
“We’re saying we are in a seventh wave because of the numbers we are confronted to, because less than a month ago it was completely different, and we are following the same path as countries in Europe,” said Dr. Boileau. “We expect the evolution to curve down during the month of July, there are uncertainties […] but shows the curve is slower than a week ago and we might get to the other side of it in the near future. That is the expectation and the hope that we have.”
“Basically, this is what explains the current wave: it’s the fact that those who have [COVID-19] are giving it to others,” Dr. Boileau said. “Visibly, there are a lot of people not respecting [the rules] and it would be a good thing if they did.”
#WATCH: “We expect it to curve,” says Quebec’s public health director, Dr. Luc Boileau as he confirms the province is now in a seventh wave of COVID-19.
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— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) July 7, 2022
Dr. Boileau was joined by Health Minister Christian Dubé for a press conference in Montreal on Thursday morning, to update the province’s COVID situation. This was the first time Dubé took part in a public health news conference since February.
The Health Minister explaining that it was important to speak to the public as summer vacations begin.
“I think the entire world is fed-up with COVID, but I think we said all along that we need to live with this COVID,” said Dubé. “We have the vaccination and that should be our best tool.” Adding that if you’re over 60, don’t wait too long to get your boosters and that it’s clear what people need to do when it comes to vaccinations.
#WATCH: “We don’t see any reason at this point to impose measures,” says Health Minister Christian Dubé. Adding that while there is an increase COVID cases, the situation is manageable – as the province is now in a seventh wave.
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— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) July 7, 2022
“I know we’re fed-up, but we need to respect the 10 days of isolation, despite the fact that it’s nice outside and we want to see people.”
The 10 days start from the moment you have symptoms Dr. Boileau explained. For the first five days a real isolation at home, he continued, then the next five days minimum essential activities while wearing a mask – pharmacy, grocery story, but not activities like eating at a restaurant.
Dubé saying we are seeing a rise in cases, because those who are infected are not isolating as required.
The Health Minister adds that the increase in hospitalizations is not exponential and it’s under control. The latest data showed 1,534 are in hospital being treated for COVID and 7,318 health care workers are still absent due to the virus.
“Weeks ago I said this is going to be a difficult summer, we are lacking personnel, but I thought, and I repeat it was important that we give these people their holidays,” he added when speaking about health workers.
“We don’t see any reason to impose measures,” Dubé said. “We’re asking people, Quebecers to make sure that we respect the measures, that’s the situation, we have to live with it now, but let’s be prudent, let’s be vigilant.”
