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Omicron variant
Quebec asks employers to reinstate teleworking
In order to prepare for the arrival of the Omicron variant, which is much more contagious, Quebec is now asking employers to reinstate 100% teleworking. More vaccinators are needed in order to speed up the administration of the third doses. And rapid tests will be quickly distributed to the entire population in 1,900 pharmacies across Quebec.
Posted on December 14, 2021 at 1:07 p.m. Updated at 14:28To share
Ariane Lacoursiere
ARIANE LACOURSIERE
PRESS
In December alone, 10 million of these rapid tests will be distributed in Quebec.
In addition, wearing a mask in the common areas of private seniors' residences is once again compulsory.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, mentioned that the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise in Quebec, as are hospitalizations. Currently, 30% of the approximately 800 dedicated COVID-19 beds in hospitals are occupied. But the arrival of the Omicron variant could be a game-changer, says Minister Dubé. “We have room, but not a lot,” he said.
This is why certain measures are now being tightened. Analyzes will be carried out in the coming days to determine precisely how much of the Omicron variant is present.
Depending on the evolution of the situation, Quebec does not rule out the idea of reconsidering the possibility of holding gatherings of up to 20 people vaccinated for the Holidays. Even if this is not the government's intention for the moment, Minister Dubé mentions that it is possible at any time for the instructions to change. "We are not afraid to change our minds if we see that we are not going in the right direction," he says.
The national director of public health, Dr. Horacio Arruda, for his part "appeals to the intelligence of Quebecers". “You have to manage your own risk. If there is any suspicion that people will be unvaccinated, it is better to abstain, ”says Dr. Arruda, who is planning a family reunion of seven for Christmas.
Omicron's worrying rise
In Ontario, the proportion of positive cases caused by the Omicron variant has increased from 10% to 30% in just one week. The progression of this variant is "dazzling", notes Dr. Arruda. To find out how much the variant is present in Quebec, public health will screen all the positive cases that will be confirmed on Tuesday, he announced.
Some characteristics of the Omicron variant remain to be determined. But one thing is certain, it is "two to three times more contagious," said Minister Dubé, who therefore expects an increase in cases in the coming weeks. Authorities will be monitoring the situation closely to see how it translates into increased hospitalizations.
Speed up the third doses
Minister Dubé says that one of the good tools to fight the Omicron variant is the administration of the third doses of the vaccine. Already immunosuppressed people, healthcare workers and people aged 70 and over can receive it. And Mr. Dubé invites these people to do it quickly. People 60 years of age and over will be able to receive their booster dose in January. But Quebec hopes to recruit 500 new vaccinators via the Je Contribue site. With more vaccinators, Quebec could open the administration of third doses to people aged 60 and over before January. From 300,000 vaccines per week currently administered, Quebec wants to increase the whole to 600,000 in January.
In the past 28 days, 30,000 Quebecers have contracted COVID-19. Of these, 550 were hospitalized, including 150 in intensive care. More than 50% of people who end up in hospital are unvaccinated, notes Minister Dubé.
Meetings between children and grandparents
Several schools in the province currently have active cases of COVID-19. In this context, is it really a good idea to allow children to meet their grandparents at Christmas? According to Quebec, the solution for the safest possible gatherings involves rapid tests.
From Monday, rapid tests will be distributed to the general population in pharmacies. Already, 6 million of these tests have been distributed or are in the process of being distributed in daycares and schools. In all, 10 million rapid tests will be distributed in December, according to immunization manager Daniel Paré.
https://www.lapresse.ca/covid-19/202...eletravail.php
Omicron variant
Quebec asks employers to reinstate teleworking
In order to prepare for the arrival of the Omicron variant, which is much more contagious, Quebec is now asking employers to reinstate 100% teleworking. More vaccinators are needed in order to speed up the administration of the third doses. And rapid tests will be quickly distributed to the entire population in 1,900 pharmacies across Quebec.
Posted on December 14, 2021 at 1:07 p.m. Updated at 14:28To share
Ariane Lacoursiere
ARIANE LACOURSIERE
PRESS
In December alone, 10 million of these rapid tests will be distributed in Quebec.
In addition, wearing a mask in the common areas of private seniors' residences is once again compulsory.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, mentioned that the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise in Quebec, as are hospitalizations. Currently, 30% of the approximately 800 dedicated COVID-19 beds in hospitals are occupied. But the arrival of the Omicron variant could be a game-changer, says Minister Dubé. “We have room, but not a lot,” he said.
This is why certain measures are now being tightened. Analyzes will be carried out in the coming days to determine precisely how much of the Omicron variant is present.
Depending on the evolution of the situation, Quebec does not rule out the idea of reconsidering the possibility of holding gatherings of up to 20 people vaccinated for the Holidays. Even if this is not the government's intention for the moment, Minister Dubé mentions that it is possible at any time for the instructions to change. "We are not afraid to change our minds if we see that we are not going in the right direction," he says.
The national director of public health, Dr. Horacio Arruda, for his part "appeals to the intelligence of Quebecers". “You have to manage your own risk. If there is any suspicion that people will be unvaccinated, it is better to abstain, ”says Dr. Arruda, who is planning a family reunion of seven for Christmas.
Omicron's worrying rise
In Ontario, the proportion of positive cases caused by the Omicron variant has increased from 10% to 30% in just one week. The progression of this variant is "dazzling", notes Dr. Arruda. To find out how much the variant is present in Quebec, public health will screen all the positive cases that will be confirmed on Tuesday, he announced.
Some characteristics of the Omicron variant remain to be determined. But one thing is certain, it is "two to three times more contagious," said Minister Dubé, who therefore expects an increase in cases in the coming weeks. Authorities will be monitoring the situation closely to see how it translates into increased hospitalizations.
Speed up the third doses
Minister Dubé says that one of the good tools to fight the Omicron variant is the administration of the third doses of the vaccine. Already immunosuppressed people, healthcare workers and people aged 70 and over can receive it. And Mr. Dubé invites these people to do it quickly. People 60 years of age and over will be able to receive their booster dose in January. But Quebec hopes to recruit 500 new vaccinators via the Je Contribue site. With more vaccinators, Quebec could open the administration of third doses to people aged 60 and over before January. From 300,000 vaccines per week currently administered, Quebec wants to increase the whole to 600,000 in January.
In the past 28 days, 30,000 Quebecers have contracted COVID-19. Of these, 550 were hospitalized, including 150 in intensive care. More than 50% of people who end up in hospital are unvaccinated, notes Minister Dubé.
Meetings between children and grandparents
Several schools in the province currently have active cases of COVID-19. In this context, is it really a good idea to allow children to meet their grandparents at Christmas? According to Quebec, the solution for the safest possible gatherings involves rapid tests.
From Monday, rapid tests will be distributed to the general population in pharmacies. Already, 6 million of these tests have been distributed or are in the process of being distributed in daycares and schools. In all, 10 million rapid tests will be distributed in December, according to immunization manager Daniel Paré.
https://www.lapresse.ca/covid-19/202...eletravail.php
