- On Wednesday, Quebec reported 2,060 people in hospital (up 122 from the previous day), including 83 in intensive care (up 16 from the previous day).
- The province reported 3,515 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths.
- Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 1,007,006 confirmed cases and 14,592 people have died.
- The province also reported a total of 18,963,907 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered, including 38,839 doses in the last 24 hours.
- 91 per cent of the eligible population in the province (aged five and over) received one dose of the vaccine; 87% received two doses and 54% received three doses.
* The new cases are those reported only to the Quebec government. They are thought to be underrepresented in the spread of the virus, given the limited availability of PCR tests and the use of home test kits.
* The Quebec Ministry of Health no longer reports data on COVID-19 over the weekend.
As Quebec residents prepare for the long holiday weekend, which is likely to be filled with large gatherings, the province’s interim director of public health says they must consider limiting the spread of both coronavirus and seasonal flu.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Dr Luke Boylo said an off-season flu wave had begun in Quebec.
He said the province would not impose restrictions on the size of gatherings this weekend. Instead, he asked Quebec residents to “manage their risk” and avoid getting together with others if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu.
The onset of influenza season coincided with a sharp increase in the number of patients with COVID-19.
Benoit Barbo, a virologist at the Université du Québec à Montréal, says there are steps the Quebec residents can take to reduce the risk of the virus spreading, such as taking the party outdoors and, if possible, avoiding too much. people in the same room or the same house and keep the windows open to allow air to circulate.
“If there aren’t too many people in the same place, using the mask is something you should definitely keep in mind,” he said.
The Novovax vaccine is now available
The Novovax vaccine is now available in the province, giving Quebec residents a fourth chance when it comes to vaccination against COVID-19.
The protein-based, two-dose vaccine was approved for use by Canadians aged 18 and over by Health Canada in February.
It will be available as a first or second dose, especially to those who have contraindications to mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer or Moderna, or to those who refuse.
Quebec has currently received about 7,500 doses and 220,000 doses could be delivered in the next few weeks, according to a statement from the Quebec Ministry of Health.
For now, the vaccine will only be available in drop-in clinics, as the vials last only a few hours after opening.
Emergency services in eastern cities under pressure
Health officials in Quebec’s eastern cities are urging residents to avoid going to the emergency room for no good reason, as the number of patients is rising due to the sixth wave and other viruses.
During a news briefing on Wednesday, health officials asked people to show good judgment and consult with other health services when the situation avoids further clogging emergency services.
“All the hospitals in the eastern towns are overcrowded at the moment,” said Dr. Genevieve Simard-Racine, assistant head of the emergency department at Granby Hospital.
Dr Stephanie Bleu-Boillard, a doctor in charge of the Haut-Saint-François family medicine group (GMF), says many options are available to patients, even if they don’t have a family doctor.
Among other things, she advises calling 811, visiting the CLSC, or consulting a pharmacist who can answer any questions you may have about medications, adjust doses, and provide health advice.
Leading stories for COVID-19
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever.
- New or worsening cough.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Sudden loss of odor without a stuffy nose.
- Gastrointestinal problems (such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).
- Sore throat
- Generalized muscle pain.
- headache.
- fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks you to call 1‑877‑644‑4545 to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic.
To book an appointment for a vaccine against COVID-19, you can go to the online portal quebec.ca/covidvaccine. You can also call 1-877-644-4545.
You can find information about COVID-19 in the province here and information about the situation in Montreal here.
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