Soon new COVID-19 isolation instructions

Public Health will soon issue recommendations regarding the period of isolation during a COVID-19 infection. In interview with The dutythe regional director of public health for Montreal, the D^D Mylène Drouin, evokes the “syndromic approach” which applies to all respiratory viruses and which could reduce the period of five days at home.

Ontario took a similar approach in September. Ontarians with COVID-19 should self-isolate for 24 hours (or 48 hours if nausea, vomiting or diarrhea) until their symptoms subside and they no longer have a fever. They must also wear a mask in public places for ten days.

In Quebec, the “syndromic approach” is the subject of discussions within the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) and public health departments, according to Dr.^D Drouin. “We are very much in an approach, we will not hide it, of accountability in the face of respiratory viruses and COVID-19,” she said.

The regional director of public health in Montreal points out that people infected with SARS-CoV-2 remain “contagious for 10 days”. She specifies that the five days of current isolation correspond to the “peak” of contagion.

The syndromic approach aims for people to isolate themselves during the acute phase of their respiratory infection. “When you have very active symptoms (fever, etc.), you obviously stay at home, explains the D^D Drouin. You are not going to work. Afterwards, you resume activities while wearing the mask. Obviously, don’t go to a restaurant. We must also avoid seeing vulnerable people.

Teleworking should be preferred, according to the D^D Drouin. If this is not possible, workers should not work with vulnerable colleagues. “The syndromic approach says don’t put people at risk during your ten days [de contagion]specifies the D^D Drouin. It’s either the double mask, or it’s avoiding these work contexts. »

No mask required

The D^D Drouin does not believe that it is necessary to reinstate the compulsory wearing of the mask. The health situation does not justify it, according to her. “We have an increase in cases in Montreal, but it is not an exponential acceleration,” she believes.

She encourages Montrealers, especially the most vulnerable, to get a booster dose of the vaccine against COVID-19. She also believes that it is necessary to rely on antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid and Tamiflu to avoid hospitalizations.

In its latest forecasts dated Wednesday, the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) predicts a stabilization of new hospitalizations over the next two weeks in Quebec. Their number would stabilize at about 145 per day (confidence interval between 113 and 179).

More regular beds would be occupied by COVID patients, however. According to INESSS, their number would reach 2,140 (confidence interval between 1,970 and 2,321). In intensive care, this figure would be approximately 64 beds (confidence interval between 59 and 70).

On Wednesday, the MSSS reported 2,085 hospitalizations, including 651 due to COVID-19, an increase of 24 from the previous day.

No cases of monkeypox

During the interview with The dutythe D^D Drouin was pleased with the management of monkeypox in Montreal. “In the past two weeks, there have been no reports of new cases,” she said.

A total of 402 infections have been recorded in the metropolis since May. Ten people were hospitalized and no one died, according to the D^D Drouin. The focus of infection remained limited to the community of men who have sex with men, she said.

According to the regional director, nearly 24,000 first doses of the monkeypox vaccine have been administered so far, including almost 10,000 to people who do not live in Montreal.

Vaccination for a second dose has been available since October 6. According to the D^D Drouin, about forty vaccinated people contracted the disease, despite the first dose.

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