In a Facebook Live broadcast today, Dr. Julie Loslier, director of the Direction de la santé public de la Montérégie, gave an update on the situation in the region. She also answered some questions pertaining to the future of the COVID-19 restrictions. She explained that although testing is going well, and the regions bordering Montreal seem to have plateaued, there hasn’t been a significant enough reduction in numbers to warrant modifying the restrictions. She said that when the Montérégie was changed from a yellow zone to an orange zone, there was not a noticeable decline, or even stabilization, in case numbers, and that it was only once the region was declared a red zone that a change was seen. For this reason, Loslier says, santé public de la Montérégie believes it would be prudent to keep the restrictions in place for the time being. At a press conference earlier in the afternoon, Premier Francois Legault expressed similar sentiments regarding the province.
While the number of new cases in the region has stayed consistent, the number of deaths has risen. A total of 925 new cases were diagnosed in the Montérégie between Oct. 29 and Nov. 4, with 22 deaths and 36 hospitalizations. In that same week, the MRC Haut-Saint-Laurent reported 23 new cases, the MRC Jardins-de-Napierville 17, the MRC Beauharnois-Salaberry 17, and the MRC Vaudreuil-Soulanges reported 68 new cases.
As for local municipalities, the number of cumulative cases in some is on the rise; Franklin has now had a total of 26 cases, Ormstown 22, Godmanchester 12, Huntingdon 47, and Saint-Anicet has had 7 total cases. No other local municipalities have seen an increase in cases.
Those who are experiencing symptoms, have been exposed to the virus, or have come into contact with someone who has been advised by the public health department to get tested, are encouraged to get tested themselves. Three mobile testing clinics have been announced for the coming week. The first is on Nov. 5 and Nov. 9 at Club Le Rendez-Vous at 319 Rue Brault in Châteauguay, the second is on Nov. 10 at the Centre communautaire at 262 rue de l’Église in Napierville and the third clinic is on Nov. 12 at the Centre municipal at 140 rue Principale in Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague. All three clinics will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both Premier Legault and Dr. Loslier stressed the importance of avoiding gatherings outside of one’s immediate household. Legault restated that the government will assess the situation at the two-week mark. Loslier said discussions about the fast-approaching holiday season have begun, with authorities hoping to find a solution that maintains holiday cheer while prioritizing public safety.