“For me, it’s a seventh wave,” said Dr. Luc Boileau. “It’s a wave that takes the form of a wave,” acknowledging that his claim has yet to be confirmed by the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ). This wave is the first in the province after the lifting of almost all public health restrictions, including mandatory coverage on public transport. The number of COVID-19 patients in Quebec hospitals has increased by more than 50 percent, from 1,007 to 1,534 in the past month. Boileau said the growing number of COVID-19 patients could peak in the coming weeks and he doesn’t think the situation will continue to worsen throughout the summer. WATCHES | The Minister of Health responds to the idea of adding restrictions:
Dubé argues why new restrictions are not needed
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé says people have the power to control the latest wave of COVID-19 on their own. But despite the speed with which hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have risen in recent weeks, the province has no plans to impose new public health restrictions. “There is no specific announcement [today]. I don’t want anyone to worry,” Health Minister Christian Dubet told a press conference on Thursday. “We are no longer at the point where we are forcing things when people are well aware of the risks. It’s just a matter of reminding them.” Dubé and Boileau – in their first joint briefing on COVID-19 in months – stressed that Quebecers should respect isolation rules and avoid gatherings after testing positive for the virus. They urge people to self-isolate for five days once symptoms appear and to resume only essential activities wearing a mask for an additional five days if their condition has improved. It is important to avoid going to restaurants and festivals or visiting friends during this time, the public health director said. “Clearly, there are a lot of people who don’t respect the quarantine period,” Boileau said. “The situation is under control, but we have to remain cautious,” Dube said. Boileau and Dubé are also once again asking Quebec’s at-risk populations, including those over 60, to get their fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if at least three months have passed since their third vaccination. The Department of Health has prepared a chart to help people decide if and when they should be vaccinated again. So far, only 55 percent of eligible Quebecers have received their third dose, according to public health data. On Thursday, the province reported 1,755 confirmed cases, which is surely an underestimate given the limited availability of PCR tests. Quebec stopped providing the tests to the general public in January during the Omicron wave. On Thursday, Dubé said there are no plans to expand the use of these PCR tests.
Why is there no mask rule in pharmacies?
While the government insists no new public health restrictions are needed, it should consider imposing rules that can help limit the spread of the virus without burdening the population, said Dr Matthew Oughton, an attending physician in the department of infectious diseases. at the Jewish General Hospital. He acknowledged that this would not be easy. “It will be difficult for the government to make an announcement about a broad reintroduction of measures, given the great pushback and resistance,” Oughton said. He applauded the province for maintaining mandatory mask rules in healthcare settings, but said masks should also be required in pharmacies, where people often go to get health services. “Think about how important pharmacies have become to our societal response to COVID,” he said. “Where do you go to get a rapid antigen test? At the pharmacy. Where do you go to get vaccinated? Often, at a pharmacy.” “I think we have to recognize that pharmacies have a high chance of having people who are either sick or at risk of getting sick.”
