Public Health intends to track down asymptomatic people this summer, whether in CHSLDs, agricultural lands or factories, in order to avoid another spread of COVID-19.
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For example, workers at CHSLD residential and long-term care centers, particularly in the metropolitan area, will be offered one test per week to detect people who are infected with the virus, but without symptoms.
This was stated by the National Director of Public Health, the Dr Horacio Arruda, Friday, at a press point in Longueuil.
New strategy
“We have already started a new screening strategy for asymptomatic patients […] in places where there may be rapid reintroduction or vulnerable people, “he said.
The Dr Arruda said that in addition to workers in CHSLDs, farm workers from other countries would be tested upon arrival here and after their isolation.
Areas that have hatched in the past few months, such as food processing plants, will also be monitored.
Then, screening tests will be offered in certain collection centers, in order to assess the circulation of the virus.
Screening should continue to be done with swabs inserted into the throat and nose, because the saliva tests are not reliable enough to be used, said the director of public health.
The government had promised to test up to 20,000 COVID-19 tests a day. But after reaching 14,000 tests a day by the end of May, the numbers dropped, said Dr Rue.
This screening is necessary, since one of the lessons learned from the first wave of the pandemic is that the virus is slyly spread by infected people, but without symptoms.
“This is the characteristic that I hate most about the virus,” said Horacio Arruda.
“Excessively vigilant”
This is why he urged Quebecers to remain “excessively vigilant”, because even if the first wave of COVID-19 fades in Quebec, the virus is still circulating.
He again deplored the loosening of hygiene measures.
“It would make me so happy that 85 to 90 percent of the people you see on the street are wearing face covers,” he said, adding that public health “will try to make it cool for young people.” to wear a mask ”, still preferring to convince them rather than force them.
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