As Quebec loosens restrictions, experts predict rise in cases linked to variants
Posted February 17, 2021 2:49 pm.
Last Updated February 17, 2021 6:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MONTREAL (CityNews) – While Quebec is relaxing some COVID-19 variants, health experts in the province are warning of another spike in cases due to variants of the virus.
Starting Feb. 26, cinemas can reopen across the province, even in “red” zones like Montreal. Indoor sports in arenas and pools will also be permitted for family bubbles or groups of two. Up to eight people will be able to gather outdoors.
That will make it easier for the coronavirus variants to spread, according to experts.
“Unfortunately because we’re reopening the province, I do think we are heading in that direction,” said epidemiologist Prativa Baral. “Where these variants, the U.K. one in particular, will likely be the dominant strain circulating here.
“We can minimize the damage of the third wave by acting now.”
Credit: INSPQ
With the province’s March break just around the corner, Quebec’s public health institute (INSPQ) has released projections on how the situation may evolve.
Best case scenario: infections stabilize and drop. But they say that’s only if Quebecers follow public-health rules and variants slow their spread.
“The worst case scenario would be, we’ve imported a lot of cases in December and January and people get very relaxed about the measures being put in place and then we could see an increase in the cases,” said Dr. Jocelyne Sauve at INSPQ.
“The more people are allowed to meet with other people, the more you give oxygen to the variant to spread.”
But Quebec says it will increase its police presence over spring break to ensure people follow the rules.
“What we decided is that we will have an operation by police forces all over the province, but especially in particular places like resorts, like parks, like rinks, like snowmobile trails,” said Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault. “Places where we think people will go to do the activities that they have the right to do.”
Quebec has already confirmed 16 cases of the U.K. and South African variants of the virus, with another 135 potential cases.
“It’s not because it’s more transmissible that we will lose control, but it does mean we have to be extremely careful if someone is being detected as having the variant,” said Sauve. “We have to be very tight with the measures.”
–with files from The Canadian Press
