A generational gap seems to be setting in among Canadians in terms of fears of being infected with COVID-19.
Posted at 11:06 a.m.
Updated at 10:50 p.m.
According to a study conducted by the polling firm Angus Reid, more than half (53%) of adults in the country say they are still worried about the possibility of developing COVID-19.
However, the elderly are much more worried about this eventuality than their younger counterparts. Indeed, about seven in ten (68%) people over the age of 54 say they fear being infected, a much lower rate among those aged 35 to 54 (44%) and even less among those aged 18 to 34. years (43%).
“During the pandemic, older Canadians were the most likely to develop severe symptoms related to COVID-19, hence their higher sense of worry than those under the age of 54” , notes the firm Angus Reid in its study.
Despite everything, the gap between the feeling of worry felt by people aged 35 to 54 and those aged 55 and over has never been as wide as it is now.
Excerpt from the Angus Reid study
On the other side of the spectrum, about a quarter of Canadians (26%) say they are not very worried about the risk of developing COVID-19 and less than a quarter (21%) say they are not worried at all.
It should be noted that the general feeling of concern in the population remains much lower than when the Omicron variant appeared, before the holidays last year. Three out of five Canadians consulted by Angus Reid said they were worried about contracting COVID-19.
Half of Canadians cancel plans
At a time when health measures have been lifted almost everywhere in the country, Canadians must rely on their own judgment to assess their risk of the disease, underlines Angus Reid.
In this context, about half of them (46%) occasionally decide not to participate in certain events or have canceled trips because they feared contracting COVID-19.
Women over 54 are the most likely to modify their plans for this reason (57%). And despite everything, more than half (54%) say they have not changed their plans, including a good majority of men under 55 (63%).
The balance sheet is getting heavier
Meanwhile, in Quebec, the COVID-19 toll increased greatly on Tuesday as authorities reported 35 additional deaths and an increase of 82 hospitalizations.
INFOGRAPHIC THE PRESS
The 35 new deaths reported on Tuesday bring the daily average calculated over seven days to 15. The trend is up 29% over one week.
The 1,960 people currently hospitalized represent an increase of 18% over one week. In intensive care, there is also an increase of 17 patients, for a total of 55. This represents an increase of 45% over one week.
INFOGRAPHIC THE PRESS
And the number of people hospitalized is likely to continue to rise over the next few days as the number of admissions continues to outpace discharges. On average, there are 42 more patients every day.
The number of workers absent due to the pandemic has increased. They were 6967 Tuesday to have to isolate themselves.
Cases continue to rise
The 2,219 new cases reported on Tuesday bring the daily average to 1,944. The trend is thus up 26% over one week. These figures likely reflect only a portion of total infections, due to limited access to PCR screening tests. Moreover, the proportion of PCR screening tests proving positive for COVID-19 remains high, at 16.5%.
INFOGRAPHIC THE PRESS
In addition to the cases detected by PCR tests, 1,301 people have reported in recent days having obtained a positive result from a rapid test. Self-reported cases, which are not included in daily reported cases, are stable over a week.
After an increase since the end of June, the vaccination campaign now seems to be leveling off. Quebec administers an average of 10,550 doses per day. These are mainly people aged 55 and over coming to pick up their 4e dose.
INFOGRAPHIC THE PRESS
To date, 83.6% of Quebecers have received two doses, but only 52.8% have had three and 15.8% four.
INFOGRAPHIC THE PRESS