The month of December is likely to be “difficult” with the strong transmission of COVID-19 and the flu in the province, warns Public Health of Quebec. Good news: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has reached its peak of spread and is starting to come down.
“We know that the month of December should be difficult for influenza”, declared the national director of public health, Dr Luc Boileau, at a press conference on Monday afternoon. Flu cases are on the rise in the province. In the last week, 3356 cases of influenza have been identified in Quebec, especially in hospitals.
Transmission of COVID-19 is also on the rise. “The COVID situation concerns us again,” said the Dr Boileau. Quebec has recorded 5341 infections by PCR test in the last week. This rise “should continue for a few more weeks”, argued the Dr Boileau.
However, Quebec has noted a drop in the transmission of RSV, a virus that can cause serious complications in young children. ” The circulation [du virus] would have probably peaked not so long ago, then we are clearly in a decrease, “said the Dr Boileau. In the past week, there have been 631 RSV infections.
The circulation of RSV in recent weeks has greatly contributed to the high traffic in pediatric hospitals, said Dr.r Boileau. He warns that the drop in transmission of the virus is not yet reflected in pediatric centers.
In fact, the situation remains critical in the province’s emergency rooms with an average occupancy rate of 123% in the last week. Emergency rooms currently receive an average of 10,700 visits per day, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS).
Protect children
Despite the spread of respiratory viruses, Public Health does not plan to put in place new health measures. “We are not here today to recommend canceling [les partys de bureau] “said the D.r Boileau.
However, he invited Quebecers to wear the mask in busy places. People who have a fever or are sick should stay home, he said. The mask should also be worn for 7 to 10 days after the first symptoms, which is the average duration of the contagion period for the various respiratory viruses.
He recalls that young people, highly exposed to viruses, are more at risk of developing an infection. “With the current high circulation of certain viruses, now is not the time to expose children unnecessarily,” said Dr.r Boileau, who invites parents to reduce their contacts.
He strongly urges people aged 60 and over or with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and parents of young children to get vaccinated against influenza. “Go there without delay. It’s simple, it’s free and there is no risk,” he said.
Elderly or vulnerable people should also get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, if their last dose was more than five or six months ago, he said.