Quebecers could soon be fixed as to the province’s deconfinement schedule. The acting national director of public health, Dr.r Luc Boileau, spoke on Radio-Canada on Friday of the possibility of reopening sectors before mid-February, perhaps even at the end of January. But which activities could resume first?
“I think overall, if we are able to reopen things [on va commencer par celles] that will benefit people who are vaccinated, in my opinion, answered, in an interview with Duty, the Dr Jean-Pierre Trépanier, regional public health director for Laval. All the activities that may be related to the psychological well-being of young people, I think that will come to the fore quite a bit too. »
The Dr Trépanier refused to temper himself further. The regional director recalls that “openings are normally done in the reverse sequence of closing”. However, many sectors were closed at the same time from December 21. “Which sector to start with? asks the Dr Trepanier. I think an analysis will be done and we will be consulted as regional directors. It’s all about the impact it can have on increasing contacts. »
The peak of cases seems to have been reached, as has that of hospitalizations (down 60 on Friday from the day before), he estimates. The increase in deaths in recent days (98 Thursday and 59 Friday) also shows “that we are still quite advanced in this fifth wave”, he adds. But the health situation remains “fragile” according to him, despite the restrictions in place. “If we suddenly increase contacts, the projections show us that it will start to rise again,” he said. We’re probably not low enough [en ce qui a trait au nombre de cas de COVID-19] so that we can afford it. »
With the end of PCR tests for the general population and the arrival of rapid screening tests, it remains difficult to measure transmission in schools, he underlines. Quebec is also currently setting up a “syndromic surveillance” system to determine how many students and school employees are absent due to COVID-19 (isolation or infection).
A platform for self-declaration of cases
The Dr Trépanier says he “hopes” to be able “eventually to count a little better” the results of the rapid tests in order to have “a more accurate portrait of the situation”. An online self-declaration form could be implemented, even if it has “limits”, he underlines.
“It’s self-declaration, people have to find their account by doing it, believes the regional director. It can be done from an altruistic point of view, but it would still be nice if there were incentives for people to do it. It would give us a better picture. »
Asked about the possible incentives, the Dr Trépanier affirms that “ideas” were put forward. “It is certain that until now, the fact of having had the disease was counted for the vaccine passport because it was confirmed by a PCR test. If we could find a way that is still solid and reliable to count infections and take them into account for the issuance of the vaccine passport, I think that would be an incentive for the population to declare their case. »
Isn’t there a danger of misrepresentation? It is a “risk” and the fraudulent passports in circulation show it, admits the regional director.
“Obviously, if we decide that the passport should include three doses, and I’m not saying that’s what’s going to be done, if ever there was a decision to that effect, we would have to be quite intelligent to understand that you cannot claim to have had the infection three times and then think that you are going to have a valid passport. »
But people vaccinated twice, who refuse a booster dose, could invent an infection, right? “It has to be thought through, thinks the Dr Trepanier. It’s obvious. We will see how they will offer us that. »
Until then, Laval Public Health will focus on vaccinating children aged 5 to 11. As of next week, she will start calling parents to encourage them to have their child vaccinated. Between 15,000 and 18,000 calls must be made. In Laval, coverage for a dose among 5 to 11 year olds varies greatly from one sector to another: from 40 to 60%, specifies the Dr Trepanier.
At the time of the interview on Friday morning, the regional director of public health did not know whether his territory will be among those targeted by the Minister for Health and Social Services Lionel Carmant, whose mandate is to convince the unvaccinated to tend the arm. “I learned about this initiative like you during the press briefing yesterday [jeudi]. This is not information that had been shared with us beforehand. We don’t know how it will be done. »