Quebec announced on Wednesday an increase of 122 hospitalizations linked to COVID-19, including 16 in intensive care, as well as 13 new deaths.
In all, 2,060 people are therefore hospitalized with the virus, including 83 in intensive care. This increase comes as a sixth pandemic wave hits Quebec.
Faced with a deterioration in the health situation linked to COVID-19 in Quebec, the acting national director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau, will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to take stock.
According to the chart provided by the Ministry of Health, the number of hospitalizations on Wednesday corresponds to the fourth level of load shedding.
It should be noted, however, that among people outside intensive care, only 45% have COVID-19 as their main diagnosis. In intensive care, this proportion reaches 71%.
As for the spread in the population, the ministry reports 3,515 new cases, but this figure is below reality, as access to PCR tests is restricted.
Among the PCR analyzes carried out, no less than 16% were positive.
Vaccination is quietly taking its course, as 2,977 people received their third dose on Tuesday. In total, 87% of Quebecers aged 5 and over are adequately vaccinated, and 54% have received their booster dose.
The ministry estimates that not being vaccinated is four times more likely to end up in hospital, and eight times more likely to go to intensive care.
On Tuesday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) stepped up its position on this booster dose by now strongly recommending that adults aged 18 to 49 receive it. The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, explained that a booster dose increases the effectiveness of the vaccine against the serious consequences of the disease to more than 90%.
Adolescents aged 12 to 17 who are likely to be at high risk of severe consequences from COVID-19, including those who are immunocompromised, as well as those who reside in congregate living environments or who are part of racialized communities marginalized or disproportionately affected by the virus, are the subject of the same NACI recommendation.
In a press release published last Friday, the Committee on Immunization of Quebec (CIQ) recommended that certain clienteles receive a booster dose of messenger RNA vaccine against COVID-19 three months or more after the last dose of vaccine received.
This article was produced with the financial support of the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.