While the Montérégie is starting to see slight declines in the number of daily COVID-19 diagnoses, many other regions of Quebec, such as Chibougamau, Chapais, James Bay, and Saguenay, are still seeing increases. The province is not yet out of the woods, despite Premier François Legault’s promise to loosen restrictions for four days over Christmas if numbers remain stable. Nationally, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, continues to urge Canadians to exercise caution as we approach the holidays, advising citizens limit gatherings and only go out for essentials.
A total of 910 new cases were diagnosed in the Montérégie from Nov. 16 to Nov. 22, during which time 28 individuals were hospitalized, and 21 deaths were recorded. The MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent currently has 8 active cases, however fewer than 5 were diagnosed in the last week. The MRC des Jardins-de-Napierville has also seen a decrease with 11 new cases. The MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry reported 16 positive cases, and the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges reported 62 new cases over the same seven-day period.
Only three local municipalities saw an increase in the number of cases reported with 5 being diagnosed between Sainte-Barbe, Howick and Saint-Chrysostome, which are now reporting 21, 11 and 30 total cases respectively.
Despite the fact the Chateauguay Valley is posting fewer cases than in previous weeks, regular mobile testing clinics continue to be scheduled for the area. The first will take place on Nov. 24 at the Centre Culturel Barberivain, located at 471 chemin de l’Église in Sainte-Barbe from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A second clinic will take place on Nov. 25 at Édifice Gilles-Grenier, 21 rue Prieur in Les Coteaux from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A third will take place on Nov. 26 at Édifice Auguste-Hébert at 149 rue François-Branchaud in Beauharnois from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Finally, a fourth testing clinic will occur on Nov. 27 at Club Le Rendez-Vous at 319 rue Brault in Châteauguay from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone experiencing symptoms, those who have been exposed to the virus, or who have come into contact with someone who has been advised by public health to get tested, are encouraged to do so.