Quebec strongly recommends mask wearing in public spaces
Posted November 16, 2022 10:41 am.
Last Updated November 16, 2022 10:49 pm.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé is strongly recommending people wear masks in public, regardless of age, saying the province is battling an overload of patients in hospital ERs as respiratory infections are on the rise. The measure is not obligatory and will not be mandated.
The recommendation does not apply to daycares and schools.
Dubé and Public Health Director Dr. Luc Boileau, accompanied by Assistant Deputy Health Minister Daniel Desharnais, updating Quebecers on Wednesday morning about a “spicy cocktail” of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV in children (respiratory syncytial virus) – taking over pediatric hospital admissions and putting many over capacity, as more children who weren’t exposed in the last couple of years are getting sick Dr. Boileau says.
As of 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Montreal Children’s Hospital was at 125 per cent capacity. The Jewish General Hospital at 189 capacity in its emergency room and the Royal Victoria at 161 per cent.
Dr. Boileau saying that flu season has started, although its lagging behind other place like Ontario – but warning that while the number of cases is under control right now, they expect a rise in the coming weeks.
Dubé says the province is also moving forward on measures to reduce strain on the hospital system, including opening nurse-run clinics in Montreal and expanding the 811 health-care phone line to allow parents to find a doctor’s appointment for their children.
Apart from masking, officials also urging people to follow basic hygiene practices like handwashing to help prevent spread.
On Tuesday, Premier François Legault said Quebecers should not expect to be forced to wear a mask in public places again, instead it will be recommended and left to the discretion of each individual. The mask mandate in most public spaces was lifted in the province on May 14.
This came as Sunday, the province’s College of Physicians urged people to wear masks and said there’s a worrying rise in infections among children and overflowing pediatric ERs.
The federal public health department, for its part, warned last week that people should exercise greater caution because the respiratory viruses are beginning a pronounced season in the nation, COVID-19 immunity is eroding, and social interaction is rising as public health restrictions are being relaxed.
#COVID19 – En date du 15 novembre, voici la situation au Québec: https://t.co/TG8KBllUU9 pic.twitter.com/NJk97C6ciE
— MSSS (@msss_qc) November 16, 2022
The province adding 54 more deaths to its COVID total:
-
- one death in the last 24 hours,
- three deaths that occurred between two and seven days ago,
- 50 deaths that occurred more than seven days ago;
3,428 health care workers absent for COVID-related reasons (preventive withdrawal, isolation, awaiting results, etc.).
1,726 hospitalizations, including 593 due to COVID-19, for an increase of 42 compared to the previous day – with 176 new entries and 134 new discharges.
Of those, 39 people in intensive care, including 22 due to COVID-19, for an increase of six compared to the previous day, with 11 new entries and five new discharges.
Vaccinations: 21,937 doses administered in the last 24 hours, for a cumulative total of 22,138,286 doses received by Quebecers.
With files from The Canadian Press
