Outaouais COVID-19 update

---11 deaths in last two weeks, health officials urge isolation measures continued

5,846 COVID-19 cases have been recorded to date Outaouais since the start of the pandemic as of February 1, marking a rise of nine cases from the previous day. According to the Centre intégré de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO), there were 130 active COVID-19 cases in the region Monday.

With 153 deaths in the region so far – 11 in just the last two weeks - it noted that 5,563 people had recovered from the virus. It added that four people were hospitalized last week, adding that 59 of CISSSO’s employees were actively infected. Over the previous week, CISSSO stated to have administered an average of 401 COVID-19 screening tests per day. Gatineau’s urban core has accounted for the majority of coronavirus cases in the region at this point with 4,302 cumulative cases and 81 active ones. 

The MRC de Papineau has had 730 total cases, with 14 active cases; the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 401 with nine active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has recorded 322 cases with 24 active ones; and the MRC de Pontiac has seen 64 total cases, with five or less active ones. The origin of 27 cases has yet to be determined. CISSSO noted that dozens of its health care facilities have been affected by the virus, counting more than 30 active outbreaks.

Aylmer seniors’ residences

That includes the CHSLD de la Renaissance in Aylmer has recorded five total cases, with everyone recovered, Château Symmes has seen three cases and two deaths, Résidence L’Initial has had 10 cases with everyone recovered, Résidence McConnell has seen six cases with everyone recovered, and the Chartwell Monastère d’Aylmer has accounted for six total cases, one death, one active case, and four people recovered.

On January 29, CISSSO’s interim public health director Brigitte Pinard noted that infection rates have reduced for all age groups in the previous weeks, except for people between 0 and 19 years old, which have been relatively stable. “The data states that we’re going in the right direction,” Pinard said, while urging people to remain vigilant regarding the virus and to get tested. “The situation remains very fragile.”

Regarding the vaccine, Pinard said that CISSSO doesn’t expect to receive doses from Pfizer. But, CISSSO should receive an unconfirmed number of doses of the Moderna vaccine by the end of the week, Pinard said. “Clearly, this slows down our vaccination campaign,” Pinard said.

More COVID-19 related information regarding the Outaouais is available on CISSSO’s website - https://cisss-outaouais.gouv.qc.ca/covid-19/. 

People wanting to get tested for COVID-19 are encouraged to consult CISSSO’s online self-assessment tool before calling 1-877-644-4545 to set up an appointment within 24 hours.