As has now become obvious, the province-wide “pause” over the holidays did little to crush the still-building second wave of COVID-19 in Quebec. The number of new cases being diagnosed in the Montérégie continues to climb, with a total of 3,967 active cases as of Jan. 8.
According to Dr. Julie Loslier, head of the Direction de santé publique de la Montérégie, the virus is now circulating widely in the region. In a video released Jan. 8, she emphasizes the ways in which the population can help limit the virus’s spread. “Many people wait too long before going to be tested,” she says, noting that the average wait time is almost three days for people who are exhibiting symptoms. “At this time, considering the circulation of the virus, as soon as we have a fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, or signs of a gastro, we must get tested,” she explains. “If you have flu-like symptoms, there is a good chance you may have COVID, as the flu is not circulating right now.”
With regard to school-age children, “the recommendation is to no longer wait 24 hours after symptoms arise,” says Loslier, adding that public health authorities are advising parents to have children tested as soon as possible. She also reinforces the importance of isolating while waiting for test results, suggesting that while public health will contact with instructions anyone who receives a positive test, the entire household must isolate, as well as any close contacts.
“Our capacity in several hospitals is at a breaking point in the Montérégie,” Loslier says, imploring people to take the virus seriously.
No visiting at area hospitals
Visitation is prohibited at the Suroît Hospital in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and the Anna-Laberge Hospital in Châteauguay until further notice due to an increase in the number of cases and sustained community transmission within the population. The Suroît Hospital is managing an ongoing outbreak and both hospitals are dealing with extremely high occupancy rates.
Exceptions will be made to allow visits or accompaniment on humanitarian grounds for a small number of situations, including end of life care, a parent or legal guardian of a minor, the accompaniment of a woman at a birthing unit, and the accompaniment of a patient awaiting emergency care, when medically required.
The preventive measure, which went into force on Jan. 10, will be re-evaluated daily and adjusted according to the evolution of the situation in the hospitals.
To make an appointment at a designated testing centre, call 450-644-4545 or 1-877-644-4545, or go online to www.santemonteregie.qc.ca/en/health-advice/coronavirus-covid-19. The latter also gives information about the schedules of walk-in mobile testing units in the Montérégie.