The 9,000 cases that will be reported on Thursday, combined with the risk of overflow in hospitals, have led Quebec to tighten health measures for the Holidays. But not drastically. Christmas can always be celebrated with ten guests. However, as of December 26, gatherings in residences and restaurants will be limited to six people or “two family bubbles”. New restrictions deemed insufficient by at least two experts consulted, who fear that they will come “too late”.
“The measures announced this evening, we think that is enough to keep control in hospitals, but we will not hesitate in the coming days, if necessary, to add measures”, warned Prime Minister François Legault.
By Sunday, he decided, we will “let the people who absolutely want to meet ten to do it”, judging that the population was entitled to “a little happiness”. However, he urges Quebeckers “who are able to postpone their holidays to do so”. “You are also asked to have only one supper or one evening, on the 24th or 25th, but not both evenings. ”
In the past seven days, the number of hospitalizations has jumped from 309 to 445.
We think that in the coming days, there will be a good increase in hospitalizations. What we want is that it does not spill over into hospitals.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec
Mr. Legault recalled that 70% of hospitalized patients are 60 years and over, and that it is necessary at all costs to limit his contacts.
The Prime Minister then delivered a message to the unvaccinated: “No matter what you read or listen to, it is clear that you are putting yourself at a much greater risk. [en n’étant pas] vaccinated, ”he told them, urging them to“ stay at home [eux] [s’ils] born [veulent] not [se] get vaccinated ”. In adults, the 10% of unvaccinated represent 50% of hospitalizations. Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services, has also warned that “if we must go further in the bans on non-vaccinated since the situation could deteriorate further, we will not hesitate to do so. “.
Avec plus de 83 000 doses administrées mardi, Québec affirme que la campagne avance maintenant « rondement ». Environ 8000 personnes se sont jusqu’ici manifestés sur la plateforme Je contribue !, ce qui donne bon espoir aux autorités d’atteindre le plateau des 100 000 doses rapidement.
« Presque un coup d’épée dans l’eau »
Des spécialistes auraient aimé qu’on donne « plus de mordant » aux nouvelles restrictions, à deux jours de Noël, même s’ils comprennent que la situation est difficile et démoralisante. « La réduction à six personnes ou deux bulles ne prendra place que dans quatre jours, alors qu’on voit en ce moment l’explosion des cas. Je crains que la situation ne se soit nettement empirée quand on y arrivera », avoue le Dr Matthew Oughton, spécialiste des maladies infectieuses à l’Hôpital général juif.
« Je suis très conscient que des mesures plus fortes, comme un couvre-feu, sont impopulaires. Cela dit, le défi d’un gouvernement, c’est toujours de faire ce qui est le mieux pour une population. C’est un choix horriblement difficile, et le gouvernement est dans une délicate position, mais si on veut vraiment protéger notre capacité hospitalière, il faut que les mesures arrivent maintenant », ajoute-t-il.
Un avis que partage le virologue Benoit Barbeau, professeur au département des sciences biologiques de l’UQAM.
On ne le voit pas, le coup de [volant qui s’impose]. I was rather disappointed. We are at 9000 cases. It’s still a tremendous leap. And it is certain that hospitalizations will follow.
Benoit Barbeau, professor in the department of biological sciences at UQAM
“I would have liked that at least the [plafond de] six persons [entre en vigueur] from [vendredi] and that we manage to be more restrictive in terms of businesses. In short, an announcement that has more bite. There, it is as if there is no consistency between the urgency of the situation and the measures applied. These are not only modest, but in addition, they will not be applied until Sunday. It’s almost a sword strike in the water, ”insists Mr. Barbeau.
He also says he is aware “that businesses are tearing up and that it is difficult for everyone”, but recalls that Quebec is “in a critical situation”. “It’s astonishing to say that we have to limit contacts, but that the only measure we add will be Sunday. It is not a consistent message. ”
When to go to a screening clinic
Quebecers should go to a screening clinic in the following two cases: 1) they show symptoms and do not have access to rapid screening tests; 2) they tested positive on a rapid test and have symptoms of COVID-19. (However, they can also rely on the rapid test result and refrain from going to a testing center to avoid transmission.) Have you been in contact with someone who tested positive? Public Health now recommends that you isolate yourself for 10 days and perform a clinical test only if symptoms appear.
Lila Dussault, Press
Load shedding
On the issue of load shedding, Mr. Dubé confirmed that Quebec still had “leeway”. “We are able to go to level 3 to 4 of the Ministry. We think this is sufficient. If ever we need to do more, we will do it, ”he said. In other words, “there will be no offloading of urgent operations” for the moment.
“It’s never pleasant to postpone even non-urgent operations, but that’s where we set our goals. But I want to be transparent: there are Quebecers who will be called in the coming days to postpone [opérations] “, He admitted, before adding that the situation remained stable in the RPAs or in the CHSLDs, where the entries remain limited.
As for access to N95 masks for all health and childcare workers, a repeated request from several unions in recent days, the Dr Horacio Arruda, national director of public health, said he was waiting for an opinion on the matter. For screening, the province will change its strategy, as COVID-19 testing centers have been taken by storm in recent days.
“We are going to move to a new paradigm of self-management of the disease,” argued Dr.r Horacio Arruda.
So far, Quebec’s daily capacity is around 50,000 tests per day. On Tuesday, 758,160 additional rapid tests were delivered to wholesalers, and will be sent to pharmacies in the coming days.
What they said …
How is it that no announcement has been made to come directly to the aid of caregivers at the front? This is the great absence of this press briefing.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire
After all the contradictory information that has flowed in the media, the general anxiety generated, one is entitled to wonder if the announcements of this evening come from Public Health, opinion polls or the consultation of the deputies of the CAQ.
Joël Arseneau, Parti Québécois health spokesperson
I was amazed to see the improvisation of the Caquista government. Many of us are watching other jurisdictions be more efficient at injecting the third dose, distributing rapid tests, and processing PCR tests.
Dominique Anglade, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party