Quebec public health: too many people with COVID-19 are not isolating
Posted July 14, 2022 7:45 am.
Last Updated July 14, 2022 6:05 pm.
Quebec public health saying their objective is to decrease transmission of COVID-19 before the fall, and everyone returns indoors. That too many people are not isolating when they have symptoms and are continuing to go to work and family gatherings – and spreading the virus.
Dr. Marie-France Raynault, senior strategic medical advisor with Health Ministry, giving an update at a press conference in Montreal on Thursday and wanting to talk about precautions to take this summer – as the province continues through its seventh wave of the pandemic and increasing infections and hospitalizations.
“We’re still in a wave where the transmission is high. We have a variant BA.5 that is highly transmissible, but we have some regions that transmissions are starting to slow down,” she said – adding that Montreal, Laval, and the Monteregie are seeing a plateau. Other regions in Quebec, like Estrie, the Laurentians, the Quebec City region, Saguenay, and others are still seeing an increase in cases.
The latest data shows that province has 1,860 people in hospital – a net increase of 93 compared to the previous day, but 258 new entries and 165 discharges.
In ICU, 45 people, up by two, with eight newly admitted and six released.
7,236 health care workers are absent from the system for COVID-related reasons.
18 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours, for a total of 15,726 fatalities total since the pandemic began.
“We still expect we’ll have more hospitalizations in the coming weeks, because even if the community transmission slows down, we know it will take at least two weeks to see the effects.”
“Even if we don’t have a lot of people in ICU, we need to take precautions,” she added.
Dr. Raynault telling Quebecers to wear a mask when there are lots of people around, “it is not mandated, but we say it is a good idea to wear a mask on public transit, for big places with lots of people, and for the vulnerable.”
She adds open windows, have your work meetings and gatherings outside, send the kids out to play – “and of course get vaccinated.”
She said people that have symptoms, even if they don’t have their test results, need to immediately isolate – don’t spread the virus.
Reminding people what it is to live with COVID
“If you have symptoms, do rapid test, get one from pharmacy. If the result is positive – isolate five days fully. If more severe symptoms, like you have fever the fifth day – keep isolating,” explained Dr. Raynault in French.
“We can be contagious for a day of 10 days – so we are asking that they wear a mask if they need to go out after the five day isolation period.”
Get vaccinated
“The vaccine is extremely efficient to limit developing severe complications,” encouraging Quebecers to get their shots and keep up with their vaccines.
“After 5 or 6 months, if you haven’t, go get your booster if you’re above 60. Everyone 18 and over can get booster after three months or three months after infection.”
Only 55 per cent of those eligible have gotten a third dose and 16 per cent a fourth shot.
Health Canada approved a COVID-19 vaccine for infants and preschoolers between the ages of six months and five years, making Moderna’s shot the first of its kind to be allowed for that age group in this country. But Dr. Raynault says they are waiting on the recommendations to then give Quebecers more information and guidance on when the shot will be available for the age group.
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Dr. Raynault adding that living with the virus, we all have to do our part to not aggravate the situation.
