The resurgence of COVID-19 in Quebec is particularly marked in the eastern part of the province, where the spread of the BA.2 sub-variant might explain the increase in infections.
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The virus is more present in the region than in other areas of the province. The incidence of active cases reported per 100,000 inhabitants is significantly higher than the provincial average in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Côte-Nord.
“The virus has found a formula to really take hold in the human population quite obviously, but doesn’t make us too sick at the same time, so maybe it’s also because of the great vaccination that exists in our region,” explained the director of public health for Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Dr.r Yv Bonnier Viger.
All age groups are affected by the increase in infections in Bas-Saint-Laurent.
“When we see how easily this virus is currently transmitted, whether in Gaspésie or in Bas-Saint-Laurent, we suspect that the BA.2 variant has reached us,” added the director. of public health in Bas-Saint-Laurent, the Dr Sylvain Leduc, referring to the new form of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
That said, hospitalizations remain limited. At the bottom of the river, there are currently 22 hospitalizations, including two in intensive care.
According to the most recent data available, 23 private seniors’ residences in the three regions of Est-du-Québec are affected by cases of COVID-19 or by an outbreak. Ten CHSLDs are also affected by the virus.
Public health therefore calls for vigilance.