Number of new cases and outbreaks, declining screening, test positivity rate, epidemiological situation in adjacent regions or even impacts on the health network: a number of factors justify the Outaouais to remain on its guard against the Covid-19, believes the interim director of public health for the region, Dr. Brigitte Pinard.
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In the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, the CISSSO recorded ten active cases of Covid-19 on February 3. For the Outaouais as a whole, this number reaches 129.
© (Photo Depositphoto)
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Following Prime Minister François Legault’s press conference on February 2, during which the latter confirmed that the Outaouais would still be part of the red zones on February 8, the Outaouais Integrated Health and Social Services Center ( CISSSO) took stock of the epidemiological situation in the region.
According to the CEO of CISSSO, Josée Filion, the “difficult” decision of the government to keep more stringent measures in the Outaouais than in the regions of Quebec which will be able to return to the orange level, is justified.
Ms. Filion ruled on February 3 that it is “the right decision”, that it is “prudent and step-by-step”. The CEO of CISSSO believes that it is necessary to “act with caution” to avoid losing control in the face of Covid-19, despite the notable improvement in the epidemiological situation in the Outaouais.
Decrease in “fragile” cases
The decline in cases remains “fragile and very recent”. Everything will have to stabilize longer before considering a return to the orange level, even if Ms. Filion understands and shares the fatigue of the population which has been struggling with Covid-19 since March 2020.
The CEO of the CISSSO gave as an example the fact that in less than 24 hours, the number of hospitalizations linked to Covid-19 in the Outaouais would almost double, from four to seven.
Dr. Pinard added to the need to remain vigilant. She gave as an example that the number of new cases related to an outbreak in a regional workplace has doubled in a week and that in Aylmer, the virus has just snuck into a retirement home.
Screening and variants
In addition, she deplores the fact that fewer and fewer people are getting tested, even though the rate of positivity on tests remains high. According to surveys by the CISSSO, 50% of people would not get tested, even if they have been in close contact with a positive case or are experiencing symptoms of the disease. Out of 100 people currently tested, four have a positive result, said Dr. Pinard.
Between January 24 and 30, the CISSSO confirmed 111 new cases of Covid-19, an average of 16 per day. This is down compared to past weeks, but Dr. Pinard recalls that we are still far from an average of two or three cases per day.
The Acting Director of Public Health also clearly expressed the concern of the CISSSO about the variants of Covid-19. According to her, the question is not whether these variants will reach the region or not, but how long the Outaouais will be able to delay their arrival on its soil.
The situation in the Outaouais will be reviewed by the government on February 22. One of the factors in returning to the orange level will be to continue to observe a continuing downward trend in new cases and outbreaks.
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