COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Wednesday
CBC News | Posted: December 29, 2021 11:56 AM | Last Updated: December 29, 2021
More priority groups eligible for 3rd dose
- Quebec reported 13,149 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and 10 new deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 572,419 confirmed cases and 11,702 people have died.
- There are 804 people in hospital (an increase of 102 from the previous day), including 122 in intensive care (an increase of seven).
- The province has administered 14,900,242 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of Wednesday.
- 89 per cent of the eligible population in the province (ages five and up) has received one dose of vaccine, 82 per cent has received two doses, and 14 per cent have received three doses.
*Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays. It will not be publishing daily COVID-19 data on Dec. 24, 25, and 26, as well as Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and 2.
Quebec's website to book appointments for a COVID-19 PCR test is down, after issues caused clinics to severely over-book appointments as they struggle to keep up with high demand.
As of Wednesday afternoon, an alert reads the site is currently undergoing maintenance and should be available shortly.
This comes after a clinic in Laval suddenly had an extra 1,200 appointments booked for one time slot on Wednesday. The clinic, located at city hall, was forced to turn hundreds of clients away.
Laval police were called to the scene to deal with the crowd, but made no arrests.
The Laval site is currently operating without access to its appointment system and is evaluating people's need for tests on a case-by-case basis.
The province reminds people that screening at a screening centre should only be considered if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and you cannot take a rapid test.
No more rapid tests in Quebec pharmacies
Quebec pharmacies have run out of rapid tests, according to a group representing pharmacist-owners, the Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires.
The association's president told Radio-Canada that more rapid tests likely won't be available until next week, and when those tests will be delivered has yet to be confirmed.
"It does not help to contact us to try to get some," said Benoit Morin. "There are none at the moment."
Union rejects keeping infected workers on the job
The FSSS-CSN union is speaking out against Quebec's decision to allow some health-care workers infected with COVID-19 to report for work without isolating.
Réjean Leclerc, president of the union, says allowing employees who tested positive to treat patients is counterproductive.
"There are enough sick people in hospital and to add infected staff, even asymptomatic ones, increases the risks of contagion among employees and generating more absences," he told Radio-Canada's Tout un matin.
Health Minister Christian Dubé announced Tuesday that some health-care workers who test positive for the virus no longer need to isolate given the rising number of COVID-related absences. He said decisions would be made on a "case-by-case" basis.
More than 700 people are currently hospitalized with the disease. Over the last week, the province increased the number of available COVID beds, causing delays to other non-urgent medical procedures.
Dubé said the province is still learning about how severe the majority of Omicron variant cases will be, and urged all Quebecers to get vaccinated.
WATCH | Public health director gives examples of when COVID-positive employees can keep working:
Priority groups for 3rd doses
The health minister also announced Quebec is widening the scope of its third-dose campaign.
Starting Jan. 4, people age 55-59 will be eligible to book appointments for a booster.
Currently, health-care workers in the private sector, childcare and school staff, public security workers, food inspectors, slaughterhouse staff and people 60 and older can book their appointment for a third dose online.
The goal is to vaccinate between two and three million people every month, and to have administered third doses to every eligible Quebecer who wants one by March.
Dubé said that Ottawa had indicated it may be able to provide around 300 Red Cross members to assist with vaccinations.
Cases soar in Magdalen Islands and Gaspésie
The regional health authority in the Magdalen Islands is reporting 38 active cases of COVID-19. It's a new record for the region, which had only about 50 cases during the entire pandemic before this new wave.
"It's bringing us to an extreme vigilance," said the CISSS des Îles president Sophie Doucet during a press conference on Wednesday.
Health authorities in Gaspésie and the Magdalen Islands are now asking those who tested positive to inform their close contacts, because they no longer have the capacity to do contact tracing for everyone.
Health officials say there is some good news as well. 22,526 Gaspésie residents got a booster shot, hospitalization for COVID-19 remains low in both regions, and the rapid surge in cases hasn't impacted services yet.
Top COVID-19 stories
- Several Montreal hospitals restrict visitors amid soaring COVID-19 cases
- Quebec health unions decry plan to allow COVID-positive health-care workers to stay on the job
- Montreal declares state of emergency
- What to do if you think you have the Omicron variant
- Long lines and little stock as Quebec starts rapid test rollout
- Changing plans this holiday season? Here is some advice for facing those tough decisions
- What you need to know about traveling, gathering, and rapid testing
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever.
- New or worsening cough.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Sudden loss of smell without a stuffy nose.
- Gastrointestinal issues (such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).
- Sore throat
- Generalized muscle pain.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks that you call 1‑877‑644‑4545 to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic.
To reserve an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can go on the online portal quebec.ca/covidvaccine. You can also call 1-877-644-4545.