Étienne Desrochers-Jean, a client of Méga Gym de Québec where a monster outbreak occurred a few days before his death, has indeed died of COVID-19, although the location of his infection cannot be established with certainty. .
• Read also: The pandemic has cost the health network $19 billion
“The elements collected during the investigation allow me to establish COVID-19 infection as the cause of death”, concludes coroner Josée Bédard in her report released Wednesday morning.
The 40-year-old had tested positive for coronavirus on March 31, 2021, but his condition rapidly deteriorated. According to Me Bédard, Mr. Desrochers-Jean had difficulty breathing, persistent cough, severe headaches, dizziness and insomnia.
He was also transported by ambulance to the University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec (IUCPQ) on April 3, where he was discovered to have COVID-19 pneumonia. He returned home that same evening with a prescription for Zopiclone, to help him sleep.
The deceased was finally found by his father in cardio-respiratory arrest in the basement of the family residence, two days later. The autopsy also established that he suffered from severe atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
Mega Gym customer
Remember that in the days preceding the death of Étienne Desrochers-Jean, a monster outbreak of 400 people had been linked to the Mega Gym in Quebec.
SCREENSHOT, VAT NEWS
The establishment had been closed for the first time by Public Health on March 28, 2021, for a total disinfection of the place. Then, a second time three days later, after “significant shortcomings” in sanitary measures were noted.
However, the forties was seen there at least once in the days preceding the closure. It was after being made aware of the outbreak that he decided to get tested on March 30.
The coroner in the file, however, is unable to confirm the place where Mr. Desrochers-Jean contracted the virus, “in the context where it was omnipresent in March 2021”.
“It is important for me to clarify that it is impossible to confirm the source of the COVID-19 infection. Although assumptions can be made […]I have no epidemiological proof to that effect,” indicated Me Bédard.
The hospital is not to blame
The coroner’s office also refuses to lay blame on the IUCPQ in this case. The victim’s medical records indicate that she had obtained two assessments and felt ready to return home.
No tachycardia, arterial hypotension, oxygen saturation problem, breathing difficulty or loss of consciousness were observed before he left the hospital center.
“According to all the medical information collected, everything suggests that it was reasonable for him to be discharged, without any indication of hospitalization,” said coroner Josée Bédard.