The first Christmas without health restrictions is approaching and Public Health is concerned about the pressure in the health system. The variants of the COVID-19 virus circulating in Quebec are “more contagious”, warned the national director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau at a press briefing.
The situation in hospitals “is very difficult” and there is no indication that the pressure will let up. “We are not launched towards something that will go for the best”, decided Dr. Boileau. “It will go up, there is almost no doubt for us. »
The number of “hospital COVID cases” has stabilized around 1,000 in Quebec, nuanced earlier in the day the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) “Projections announce a stabilization of new hospitalizations over the next two weeks,” one report said. “It should be noted, however, that the models used cannot take into account the expected increase in contacts in the coming weeks. »
To prevent this acceleration of the contagion, Dr. Boileau went there with a simple advice: “You have symptoms, you do not go to your family celebrations. It’s not a good time. »
Even mild symptoms in one diner could threaten the health of another, he said. ” Attention ! It is the same virus that, in another person, can wreak havoc. »
However, there is no question of imposing sanitary measures, such as “small parties” with “three bubbles”. “We studied it well, but we don’t need that. »
This press conference was held at a time when COVID-19 continues to progress in Quebec, with cases and hospitalizations which were still on the rise, according to Wednesday’s report.
Increase in hospitalizations
Health authorities reported an increase of 60 hospitalizations, for a total of 2,081 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including 698 due to the disease. The number of people hospitalized in intensive care remained stable at 63. Of these, 36 patients are being treated specifically for the disease.
Deaths also continue to pile up. With 12 new people who lost their lives, there are now 17,497 Quebecers who have succumbed to the disease since the start of the pandemic. Among these new deaths, four occurred in the last 24 hours, four two to seven days ago and four also more than seven days ago. The government has also recorded 1,300 new cases, a figure that we know is underestimated because of the screening centers which are reserved for priority clienteles.
The positivity rate remains quite high, at 11.8%. Quebecers have also declared 143 positive rapid tests as of Tuesday.
On the vaccination side, 15,342 doses were administered to Quebecers on Tuesday.
The Canadian Press
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