In a press conference on Sunday, Dr. Luc Boileau did not confirm another pandemic wave of infections, but said the rise in cases in recent weeks due to Omicron’s BA.2 variant suggests one is imminent. Boileau said he would wait up to a few weeks to hear from experts at the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ) before announcing it. “We are not in the same situation as in December and January, but public health is watching it all very closely,” he said, noting that the BA.2 variant is even more contagious than the original Omicron strain. “The increase in variation is worrying.” The health network in particular has been affected by its spread, he said. In less than a week, 8,600 healthcare workers are absent due to illness and mainly due to COVID-19 – which represents a 60 percent increase in absenteeism. Areas such as Gaspésie — Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Saguenay — Lac-St-Jean, Côte-Nord, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bas Saint-Laurent and Capitale-Nationale have all seen an increase in cases. Although Montreal has seen a milder increase in hospitalizations than other areas, Boileau said the spread of the variant is being felt across the county. He said the BA.2 variant could soon be responsible for at least two-thirds of COVID-19 cases in Quebec. Boileau said that following a forecast by the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INESSS), the current trend suggests that the number of hospitalizations in the province is likely to continue to rise.
No new measures
Quebec has no plans to reinstate public health restrictions from previous waves, he said. “Every person must act responsibly, depending on their situation for themselves and for others.” Despite the spread of the variant, Boileau confirmed that the province expects to lift its public coverage requirements on April 15, as scheduled. “It is normal for there to be waves of this kind of infection,” he said. “Let’s try to live with it now.” He said most of the current cases in the province come from public and private gatherings and reminded Quebecians to be careful about the risks they take. “The time to go to work, even though you may have cold symptoms – is over now,” he said. “We have to stay home. It is a matter of respect.” People who are adequately vaccinated and have symptoms of COVID-19 should be isolated at home for at least five days. Those who are not fully vaccinated are required to be isolated for 10 days. Although a fourth installment is offered to residents of long-term care and nursing homes and to people aged 80 and over, Quebec is not a dose for the general population. “We do not expect to expand the population other than them [mentioned] “for the benefit of the fourth tranche now,” he said. “But in the future, in a few weeks to a few months from now, that may change.”
title: “Quebec Likely Heading Toward 6Th Wave Says Public Health Director " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-20” author: “Timothy Gossett”
In a press conference on Sunday, Dr. Luc Boileau did not confirm another pandemic wave of infections, but said the rise in cases in recent weeks due to Omicron’s BA.2 variant suggests one is imminent. Boileau said he would wait up to a few weeks to hear from experts at the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ) before announcing it. “We are not in the same situation as in December and January, but public health is watching it all very closely,” he said, noting that the BA.2 variant is even more contagious than the original Omicron strain. “The increase in variation is worrying.” The health network in particular has been affected by its spread, he said. In less than a week, 8,600 healthcare workers are absent due to illness and mainly due to COVID-19 – which represents a 60 percent increase in absenteeism. Areas such as Gaspésie — Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Saguenay — Lac-St-Jean, Côte-Nord, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bas Saint-Laurent and Capitale-Nationale have all seen an increase in cases. Although Montreal has seen a milder increase in hospitalizations than other areas, Boileau said the spread of the variant is being felt across the county. He said the BA.2 variant could soon be responsible for at least two-thirds of COVID-19 cases in Quebec. Boileau said that following a forecast by the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INESSS), the current trend suggests that the number of hospitalizations in the province is likely to continue to rise.
No new measures
Quebec has no plans to reinstate public health restrictions from previous waves, he said. “Every person must act responsibly, depending on their situation for themselves and for others.” Despite the spread of the variant, Boileau confirmed that the province expects to lift its public coverage requirements on April 15, as scheduled. “It is normal for there to be waves of this kind of infection,” he said. “Let’s try to live with it now.” He said most of the current cases in the province come from public and private gatherings and reminded Quebecians to be careful about the risks they take. “The time to go to work, even though you may have cold symptoms – is over now,” he said. “We have to stay home. It is a matter of respect.” People who are adequately vaccinated and have symptoms of COVID-19 should be isolated at home for at least five days. Those who are not fully vaccinated are required to be isolated for 10 days. Although a fourth installment is offered to residents of long-term care and nursing homes and to people aged 80 and over, Quebec is not a dose for the general population. “We do not expect to expand the population other than them [mentioned] “for the benefit of the fourth tranche now,” he said. “But in the future, in a few weeks to a few months from now, that may change.”
