--- COVID-19: Monday’s positive cases jump, region still coded Yellow

The number of COVID-19 cases in the Outaouais since the start of the pandemic has reach 1146 – a one-day jump of 31 - with 43 people having died from the virus so far. With 959 residents having recovered from the virus, the Centre intégré de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) reported 153 active cases in the region, as of September 21.

Over the seven previous days, CISSSO said it tested an average of 548 people. Noting that Gatineau has accounted for 999 cases at this point, the region’s rural areas have collectively accounted for approximately 150 cases – MRC de Papineau with 82, MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has had 45, MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has seen eight and the MRC de Pontiac accounted for six. Out of seven people hospitalized last week, CISSSO noted that one required intensive care. 

129 of CISSSO’s employees have been infected by the virus thus far, and 118 are said to have recovered. Having finished dealing with outbreaks in nine of its health care facilities, CISSSO stated that one is currently in effect at Residence McConnell – a mental health facility in Aylmer – where six cases have been reported.

Still yellow

According to the Québec government’s four-level (colour) COVID-19 warning system – launched on September 8 - the Outaouais remains at level two-early warning (yellow).

At level two, indoor and outdoor gatherings must be capped at 10 people, organized public activities like weddings and festivals can hold no more than 250 people outdoors and 50 people indoors. Venues with alcohol permits can’t sell alcohol after midnight, patrons can’t drink after 1 am and dancing is not allowed.

COVID-19 in Aylmer school

The Centre des services scolaires des Portages de l’Outaouais (CSSPO) has confirmed 11 COVID-19 cases in its establishments since August 31 – reporting its first case at Aylmer’s l’École du Dome on the same date.

The following day - September 1 - the CSSPO confirmed a case at l’École des Tournesols Immeuble de la Petite Ourse. On September 9, the CSSPO reported another case – this time at l’École du Vieux-Verger - before identifying another two at l’École du Plateau and one at l’École des Deux-Ruisseaux on September 10. September 14, saw another case reported at l’École du Marais, followed by another at l’École Rapides-Deschênes on September 16. 

As the Quebec government’s protocol to prevent coronavirus from spreading in schools, the Quebec national public health institute (INSPQ) conducts an epidemiological investigation every time it reports a COVID-19 case in one of the CSSPO’s schools to determine if any students or staff members have been in contact with someone infected. Upon obtaining the investigation’s results, the CSSPO removes people of concern from school and sends a letter to parents and staff members of the school involved to inform them on the situation.

Those who get removed from school should receive a letter from the INSPQ informing them what kind of measures to take before going back to school. It added that, if an entire class gets removed from school, it will continue its usual curriculum via online classes. If only a few students get removed from school, they will continue studies online and get follow-ups from their teacher – doing the same work as everyone else.

The Aylmer Bulletin contacted the Western Québec School Board for English school specific statistics but didn’t get a response in time for print. Cases at D’Arcy Symmes have been reported to the Bulletin, as well as four positive results out of South Hull, say parents.