Covid-19 update

---Only five new cases in the region, Outaouais bumps to Yellow Zone

With only five new positive test results in 24 hours, the number of Covid-19 cases in the Outaouais since the start of the pandemic reached 12,373 on June 14. According to the Centre intégré de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO), there were 102 active Covid-19 cases in the region at that time – 10 less than last week. With 214 deaths in the region so far, it noted that 12,057 people had recovered from the virus.

Last week, three people were hospitalized with none requiring intensive care, and two of CISSSO’s employees were actively infected. Over the previous week, CISSSO stated to have administered an average of 463 Covid-19 screening tests per day.  CISSSO said that Gatineau’s urban core has accounted for the majority of coronavirus cases in the region at this point with 9,320 cumulative cases and 71 active ones. 

The MRC de Papineau has had 1,332 total cases, with three active cases; the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 565 with no active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has recorded 754 cases with two active ones; and the MRC de Pontiac has seen 387 total cases, with 26 active ones. The origin of 15 cases had yet to be determined. With the Outaouais now in the provincial government’s Covid-19 yellow zone, restaurant patios and dining rooms are allowed to open with occupants from a maximum of two private dwellings per table. 

Bars are also allowed to re-open at 50 per cent capacity with social distancing, noting that singing and dancing is prohibited for the time being, as is selling alcohol past 11 pm. Private outdoor gatherings of no more than eight people or occupants of two households, and inter-regional travel are also permitted. Stadiums and large indoor halls can host events with a potential maximum capacity of 2,500 people.

On June 25, summer camps will be allowed to resume, as will outdoor public events and activities with certain conditions, lightening of mask wearing restrictions during gatherings for people who have been vaccinated twice and of restrictions in stadiums and large indoor facilities. In August, if more than 75 per cent of people aged 12 and up have their two doses, there should be more lifting of public safety measures.

Details about the provincial government’s safety regulations are available on its website. 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. 

--Vaccination update

CISSSO says all people aged 12 and over are now eligible to be vaccinated.

People are encouraged to set up appointments for a first dose or to reschedule second-dose appointments to an earlier date via its website. People are reminded to wait at least eight weeks between the first and second dose of the vaccine.

More information on the Outaouais’ vaccine rollout, including clinic locations and scheduling for second dose appointments, is available at the CISSSO website.