COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know this weekend
Over 20 per cent of paramedics were off the job Sunday in Montreal and Laval
- On Sunday, Quebec reported 2,081 people in hospital (a decrease of 62 from the previous day), including 140 in intensive care (a decrease of 12 from the previous day).
- The province reported 1,870 new cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 898,842 confirmed cases and 13,693 people have died.
- The province also reported Friday a total of 18,372,148 doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered, including 33,661 in the last 24 hours.
- 91 per cent of the eligible population in the province (aged five and up) have received one dose of the vaccine; 86 per cent have received two doses, and 49 per cent have received three doses.
*The new cases are those reported to the Quebec government only. They are believed to be an underrepresentation of the virus's spread, given the limited availability of PCR tests and use of home testing kits.
Over 20 per cent of paramedics were off the job Sunday, says Urgences-Santé, the ambulance service for Montreal and Laval.
That amounts to 20 ambulances which would typically staff 40 paramedics, said spokesperson Stéphane Smith. There are likely to be delays for those with non-urgent health concerns as a result.
On Sunday 173 paramedics and 86 ambulances were needed on the road, however they were forced to make due with only 133 paramedics and 66 ambulances.
While paramedic shortages are nothing new, the situation has deteriorated with the arrival of the Omicron variant, he said.
"Since Christmas our weekends have been very difficult," he said, with many having to isolate because themselves or another in the family has contracted the virus.
Paramedics on stress leave and vacations are also contributing to the shortage, Smith said.
"Paramedics are tired. It's been two years that we have been living through a pandemic," he said. "There's always more and more overtime coming their way."
Restrictions loosening
As of Saturday, Quebec is no longer placing any restrictions on home gatherings, though public health officials are still recommending having at most 10 people present, or only those from three households.
In addition, restaurants are now allowed to accommodate the same number of people per table.
The relaxed rules are part of a phased re-opening that the Quebec government announced Tuesday. Starting Monday, organized sports matches like hockey will be allowed to resume, and gyms and spas will also open.
People living in long-term care in Quebec will also be able to receive more visitors, and will be able to leave their residences to visit family and friends.
Until now, only registered caregivers were allowed in. Visitors to long-term care homes must be fully-vaccinated.
People living in provincially-funded care homes (CHSLDs) will be able to receive a maximum of two visitors per day, while those living in private long-term care homes (RPAs) will be allowed up to four visitors per day.
Visitors had been limited since the end of December, due to concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant.
Benoît Mâsse, epidemiologist and professor at the Université de Montréal, says people will still need to be careful about increasing close contacts, with the Legault government effectively leaving the decisions in the public's hands.
"We might be tired of the virus and...the measures, but the virus is not tired of us," said Mâsse. "If there's a lot of contacts in a short period of time, we can expect hospitalization to increase in a matter of 10 days, maybe two weeks."
He says the Quebec government should consider setting up an early warning system and random COVID-19 testing to track trends in infections before cases overwhelm hospitals.
Protesters rally in Montreal in support of Ottawa protests
Protesters calling for the end of pandemic restrictions marched through the neighbourhood of Villeray in Montreal Saturday morning, ahead of a planned convoy to Ottawa.
Demonstrators marched through residential streets around Jarry Park, before regrouping at the park for a rally.
People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier gave a speech to the crowd denouncing vaccine mandates, saying they constitute a form of discrimination.
Organizers invited protesters to join convoys from the Beauce and the Eastern Townships regions headed to Ottawa early this afternoon.
A smaller group of counter-protesters also marched through Villeray, denouncing the movement against pandemic measures as a "front for the far-right."
Old Brewery Mission winds down COVID-19 isolation shelter
Montreal's Old Brewery Mission says it's wrapping up operations at a soccer stadium which was being used as a shelter for homeless people with COVID-19.
The shelter was set up last month at the Stade de soccer de Montréal in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough, but the mission says the situation has now stabilized.
The Old Brewery Mission says it housed more than 300 people for stays ranging from 6 to 10 days.
A COVID-19 isolation zone for people living on the street will now resume at the Abri du Voyageur hotel in downtown Montreal.
Meanwhile, Quebec unveiled a new COVID-19 self-assessment tool Friday to help people determine whether they need to isolate based on their situation.
The site provides a recommendation on instructions to follow, depending on whether the person has symptoms compatible with COVID-19 or has been in contact with a positive case.
Health minister Christian Dubé said the site is "one more tool to allow Quebecers to manage their own risk with respect to COVID."
Top COVID-19 stories
- Data, tests and transparency: What Quebec needs to live with COVID-19
- Quebec plans to lift most pandemic restrictions by mid-March
- Community workers are keen to tackle Montreal's pockets of unvaccinated
- Quebec was among the first to test wastewater for COVID-19. Then it stopped funding the research
- Quebec announces plan to reopen restaurants, cinemas in coming weeks
- As Quebec moves to ease COVID-19 restrictions, daily death toll remains in double digits
- What to do if you think you have the Omicron variant
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.
You can find information on COVID-19 in the province here and information on the situation in Montreal here.
With files from Radio-Canada