The strong upward trend of COVID-19 continued in Quebec, as the province reported 9,397 cases of COVID-19 and six additional deaths. Hospitalizations also continued to increase.
In the last week, more than 36,000 new cases have already been identified in the province, or 5,231 new cases per day on average. The trend is thus up by 157%. The six additional deaths reported Thursday, they bring the daily average to four. The trend of deaths is stable over one week. Since the start of the pandemic, 11,658 Quebecers have succumbed to COVID-19.
To date, Chaudière-Appalaches remains the most affected region, with 700 active cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It is followed by Montreal, with 670 active cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and Estrie, which currently has around 585 active cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Of the 9,397 new cases reported, about 7,800 were doubly vaccinated and 1,310 unvaccinated, according to figures from the Department of Health and Social Services (MSSS) which were corrected during the day Thursday. Thus, the unvaccinated show an increase of 34% over one week, against 258% for the fully vaccinated.
The majority of new hospital admissions, 60 out of 92 during the day on Wednesday (more than 60%), however, still concern unvaccinated people. There are far fewer unvaccinated people, but they are at much greater risk of complications after contracting the virus. An unvaccinated person is currently 13.6 times more likely to be hospitalized, on average. Recall that the third dose of vaccine increases protection against infection with the Omicron variant to 75%, against about 30% with two doses, according to figures presented Monday by the government.
“We are at war with Omicron and he has no qualms,” the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday morning. He reiterated that the government was currently “redirecting the resources that we already have in our network towards the vaccination of the third dose and integrate as quickly as possible the volunteers who register on the site I contribute! “.
Tone up
Mr. Dubé again sent a message to Quebecers who are not vaccinated, as the Prime Minister, François Legault had done on Thursday. “If you are not yet convinced to get vaccinated with the arrival of the new variant, I do not know what to tell you. But if you don’t do it for yourself or your loved ones, at least do it to protect our health system and those who are sick. You may need it someday. Otherwise, the least you could do is stay at home to avoid spreading the virus and cluttering our hospitals, ”he wrote to them.
Within the health network, the number of hospitalizations has increased by 28 compared to the previous day, or 92 new admissions and 62 discharges, for a total of 473 people hospitalized to date. Of this number, there are now 91 people in intensive care, an increase of 3 people in this regard. These 473 people hospitalized represent an increase of 55% over one week. In intensive care, the 91 patients represent an increase of 44%.
Earlier this week, Tuesday, the number of screening tests carried out stood at 54,520, a figure relatively higher than the weekly average, while screening has been accelerating across Quebec for several days now. .
The MSSS also confirms that 95,985 additional doses of vaccine were administered, or 89,924 in 24 hours and 6,061 before December 22, which had not yet been counted.
In the general population, 84.6% of Quebecers have received one dose, 77.6% have received two and 10.6% already have three. Among young people aged 5 to 11, 357,130 have so far received a first dose, and 17,453 are still awaiting their appointment. Due to public holidays in sight, it should be remembered that Quebec will not release the data report until December 28, then from December 31 to January 4.
With the collaboration of Pierre-André Normandin, Press