---Covid-19 update
Outbreak at Shawville Hospital: daily jumps in positive cases
Marking a rise of 50 cases in one day, the number of Covid-19 cases in the Outaouais since the start of the pandemic reached 11,020 on April 26. According to the Centre intégré de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO), there were 717 active cases in the region at that time. With 192 deaths in the region so far, it noted that 10,111 people had recovered from the virus.
Last week, 53 people were hospitalized, with seven requiring intensive care. Sixty-two of CISSSO’s employees were also actively infected. Over the previous week, CISSSO reported that they had administered an average of 670 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 8,226 cumulative cases and 484 active ones.
The MRC de Papineau has had 1,224 total cases, with 107 active cases; the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 553 with 19 active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has recorded 687 cases with 36 active ones; and the MRC de Pontiac has seen 270 total cases, with 61 active ones. The origin of 60 cases had yet to be determined.
CISSSO also recently reported an outbreak at the Shawville Hospital, seeing at least nine users and five employees infected. All safety measures were in place to limit the virus’ propagation. People are advised to avoid visiting the hospital. On the same date, l’École secondaire Grande-Rivière announced that no new cases were reported at the school, as of April 23. Schools are to remain closed until May 3. The Québec government’s Covid-19 emergency safety measures – including the 8 pm to 5 am curfew – will remain in place in the region until at least May 2. Police will be issuing fines ranging between $1,000 and $6,000 to people who break the rules. Those aged 14 and under are subject to $500 fines.
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.
