Covid-19 update: 702 active cases

Quebec government announces plan for gradually dropping vaccine passports

Sophie Demers

 

As of February 21, Centre Intégré de la Santé et des Services Sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) reported 154 new Covid-19 cases over the weekend. This brings the total number of cases in the area since the beginning of the pandemic to 34,939. There are currently 702 active cases in the region. There have been a total of 283 Covid-19 related deaths in the Outaouais. CISSSO highlights 33,954 people have now recovered from the virus. There are currently 31 individuals in the hospital with Covid-19, 4 of whom are in intensive care. A total of 83 of CISSSO employees currently have the virus.
The majority of Covid-19 cases are in Gatineau with 24,750 cumulative cases and 395 active cases. The MRC de Papineau has had 4,640 total cases and currently has 131 active cases; the MRC de Pontiac has had a total of 1,165 cases and currently has 48 active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has had a total of 2,735 cases and has 56 active cases; and, the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 1,505 total cases and currently has 63 active cases. The origin of 9 cases is yet to be determined.
–Provincial safety regulations updated
The Quebec government announced their gradual withdrawal of vaccine passports. The first step began on February 16, as the vaccine passport was no longer needed to access big box stores, the SAQ and the SQDC.
On February 21, the capacity limit for the SAQ, SQDC and big box stores was lifted. Recreational centres, such as arcades, water parks, and amusement centres have reopened at a 50% capacity with vaccine passports. Places of worship have reopened at 50% capacity for a maximum of 500 people. Places or worship and funerals will no longer require vaccine passports. People with vaccine passports are allowed to gather in person for meetings, conferences and assemblies. Indoor public events, such as cinemas, sports events and concerts or shows are open at 50% capacity with vaccine passports. Sanitary measures have been put in place if the event has 1,000 or more spectators. In private seniors residences, the recommended limit for visitors is 10 people and there will be a maximum of 10 residents at the same table in dining halls.
On February 28, sports competitions and tournaments will be permitted with no capacity limit. The capacity limit will also be lifted for indoor public events in spaces with less than 10,000 spectators. Meetings and assemblies will also no longer have capacity limits. For restaurants, drinks and food will stop being served at midnight and the restaurant will close by 1 am. Bars, taverns and casinos will have the same rules applied as restaurants and they can reopen at a 50% capacity. However, clients will be required to remain seated. Places of workshop will also have their capacity limit lifted and there will be a slow return to work in hybrid mode. All activities listed to reopen on February 28 will require a vaccine passport. In residential and long-term care centres (CHSLD)s and intermediate resources (RI), it is recommended to limit visitors to 10 people and a maximum of 10
residents can sit at the same table in the dining hall.
Starting March 14, all activities and locations, apart from international travel, will no longer require a vaccine passport. Bars, restaurants, and taverns will no longer have a capacity limit; they may return to regular hours and, dance danse and karaoke will be permitted. Public places will reopen at full capacity. Public events, both indoor and outdoor are permitted with no restrictions. Gyms and spas will no longer have capacity limits.
Gatineau states that starting March 15, public Municipal council and Executive Committee meetings will take place in in-person.
The City will start the gradual return to offices on March 7 and will continue until April 4. The 700 employees currently teleworking will gradually return to in-person, alternating with teleworking.
–Vaccination and testing
A fourth dose is recommended for those 18 years of age or older who are immunocompromised or on dialysis.
CISSS asks that individuals wait to get their third dose until three months after their second dose. According to Premier Legault, 61% of Quebec residents have gotten their third dose. The Municipal, Provincial and Federal Government authorities continue to encourage citizens to get vaccinated.
CISSS reports that between January 24 and February 13, 20,315 people got their first dose of the vaccine. As of the 13 of February 13, 520,361 are still unvaccinated in Quebec.
Individuals hoping to get their first or second vaccination can do so at six walk-in clinics in the region or book their vaccine appointments by visiting https://portal3.clicsante.ca/ or by calling 1-877-644-4545.
The Gatineau testing clinic is located at 135, St-Raymond Blvd and is open weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Rapid antigen screening tests are available to individuals at pharmacies, depending on the stock at each location.
The Quebec government is asking individuals who take a rapid test to
visit Québec.ca/testcovid-19, to declare their result, whether it is positive
or negative.