Quebec has entered its 7e wave of COVID-19, a sign that the pandemic is not over, insisted Dr. Luc Boileau and the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, while asking Quebecers to get their booster dose and to respect the instructions. ‘isolation.
• Read also: FEQ ‘will have an impact’ on COVID-19 cases
• Read also: COVID-19 in Canada: vaccines for toddlers from mid-July
The two went public on Thursday, as Quebec sees a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases. The National Director of Public Health, Dr.r Boileau, and the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, had not given a joint press briefing since February.
“The situation is under control for the moment, but our objective is to protect the most vulnerable,” said Mr. Dubé. He urges caution, especially as construction holidays approach.
For the moment, however, he closes the door to the idea of reimposing health restrictions, including the wearing of a mask. “We’re not here at all. We have to learn to live with COVID,” he said. He said he wanted to trust the people.
Photo QMI Agency, Laurent Corbeil
Mr. Dubé also rules out the idea of once more offering PCR screening tests to the entire population. These are currently reserved for healthcare workers and “priority” people, such as first responders and vulnerable populations. However, it is possible for the general public to obtain rapid tests.
In the past 24 hours, Quebec has recorded 1,755 new cases of COVID-19. A figure which is however not representative of the situation, given that access to screening centers is restricted. A number of 37 new hospitalizations, 16 additional deaths were also recorded, and 7,318 healthcare workers are also absent from work due to the virus.
“It’s a seventh wave, but it should subside in the coming weeks. We have some signs that it is capping,” explained the Dr Boileau.
He wished to recall that people experiencing symptoms must isolate themselves and respect certain basic measures.
- Listen to Marc-André Leclerc’s interview with Karl Weiss, microbiologist and infectious disease specialist on QUB radio:
“You have to self-isolate for five days, and the next five, you have to be very careful. We shouldn’t go to restaurants, shows or meet friends. And you have to wear a mask. That’s why there is so much contamination, people do not respect this 10-day rule, ”he was exasperated.
To this end, Public Health encourages the population, particularly the most vulnerable, to continue wearing a mask if the situation allows.
“You have to keep a distance of two meters, wash your hands, maintain good hygiene, and avoid meeting people indoors, in closed environments,” warned Dr. Boileau.
Booster dose
Booster doses of vaccines once morest COVID-19 are always available and accessible to all, recalled the two men.
The Ministry of Health should publish for this purpose, during the day, a “decision tree” to identify for everyone the best time to get a booster dose.
Photo QMI Agency, Laurent Corbeil
“Now is the time to go get her. It’s a dose that will change the risk of developing a serious illness,” said Dr.r Boileau. He also clarified that following a period of regarding six months, the effectiveness of the vaccine declines, hence the importance of the recall.
Currently, 85% of the population in Quebec has received at least one dose of a vaccine once morest COVID-19.
People who are immunosuppressed or “very old” can also consult a pharmacist to get access to Paxlovid. “We have the most efficient Paxlovid access system in the world. Let’s take advantage of it!”, added the Dr Boileau.
Photo QMI Agency, Laurent Corbeil
To remember
- People showing symptoms are asked to self-isolate for a period of 10 days;
- PCR tests are reserved for healthcare workers and certain at-risk populations. The general public can nevertheless obtain rapid tests;
- Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines are available to the entire population;
- New health restrictions are not planned at this time. Wearing a mask, isolation and distancing are however always recommended.