The number of hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 continues to increase, while Quebec reports 10 new deaths. As the spread continues to increase as the cold season approaches, vaccination is accelerating.
Posted at 11:46 a.m.
The 10 new deaths reported on Wednesday bring the daily average calculated over seven days to eight. The trend is up 23% over one week.
Quebec is also reporting an increase of 24 hospitalizations on Wednesday. The 2,085 people currently hospitalized represent an increase of 3% over one week. Of these, 651 were admitted directly because of their COVID-19 infection. In intensive care, the 62 patients represent an increase of 19% over one week.
The number of people in hospital is expected to continue to rise over the next few days, with the number of admissions outpacing discharges. On average, there are eight more patients every day.
In new projections published on Wednesday, the National Institute for Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) nevertheless predicts “a stabilization of new hospitalizations over the next two weeks”. In the province, the organization expects about 145 new hospitalizations per day, with a confidence interval between 113 and 179.
However, “a slight increase in regular beds occupied by COVID patients” is expected, which would continue to reach approximately 2140 patients, with a range of 1970 to 2321. In intensive care, the Institute also expects a slight increase, anticipating to reach 64 beds within two weeks, with a confidence interval between 59 and 70.
Currently, 40% of hospitalized patients are admitted with COVID-19; the others are first for other reasons, before testing positive for the virus.
On Wednesday, there were also 3,906 health network workers absent due to the pandemic. This is 4% more than last week.
The 1104 new cases reported on Monday bring the daily average to 969. The trend is thus up 9% over one week. These numbers likely reflect only a portion of total infections, due to limited access to PCR testing. Moreover, the proportion of PCR screening tests proving positive for COVID-19 remains high, at 9.4%.
In addition to the cases detected by PCR tests, 399 people have also reported in the past few days having tested positive on a rapid test. Self-reported cases, which are not included in daily reported cases, have increased by 7% for a week.
Vaccination still on the rise
More and more Quebecers continue to take up the challenge. Quebec administers an average of 20,250 doses per day, or 23% more than last week. This rebound comes as the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, last week invited Quebecers to come and get a new booster dose as the cold season approaches.
The pace of the campaign even made it possible to slightly increase vaccination coverage. Taking into account the fact that Public Health recommends getting vaccinated after five months, 20.7% of Quebecers currently have their vaccinations up to date. This represents a slight increase of 0.6 points over the past week.
The rebound in vaccination is mainly felt among people aged 60 and over, a group more vulnerable to COVID-19.
