Covid-19 update: 388 active cases in Outaouais

Vaccine passports now scrapped, masks by mid-April

Sophie Demers

 

As of March 11, there are 37 new Covid-19 cases reported in Outaouais. There are currently 388 active cases in the region. This brings the total number of cases in the area since the beginning of the pandemic to 35,634. There have been 288 Covid-19 related deaths in the Outaouais. Currently, 10 are in hospital, five of them in intensive care. A total of 39 CISSSO employees currently have the virus.
The majority of Covid-19 cases are in Gatineau, with 25,147 cumulative cases and 216 active. The MRC de Papineau has had a total of 4,776 cases and currently has 69 active cases; the MRC de Pontiac has had a total of 1,203 cases and currently has 27 active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has had a total of 2,797 cases and has 43 active cases; and, the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 1,555 total cases and currently has 27 active cases. The origin of six cases is yet to be determined.
–Provincial safety regulations updated
On March 14, many safety measures were lifted, such as vaccine passports which are no longer needed except for international travel. Bars, restaurants, and taverns will no longer have a capacity limit and can return to regular hours. Dance and karaoke are now permitted. Public places can now reopen at full capacity. Public events, both indoor and outdoor, are permitted with no restrictions. Gyms and spas no longer have capacity limits.
Those who are vaccinated or have already had Covid-19 will no longer need to self-isolate after a contact with a Covid-19 case at home. These individuals will have to take measures to protect others for at least 10 days following such contact by monitoring their symptoms, wearing a mask while around others, and avoiding close contact with others.
Gatineau states that starting March 15, public Municipal Council and Executive Committee meetings will take place in person.
–Vaccination and testing
Although Covid cases are decreasing, municipal, provincial and federal governments continue to encourage citizens to get vaccinated and stay up to date with boosters.
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 Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. Rapid antigen screening tests are available to individuals at pharmacies, depending on the stock at each location.
To report a positive or negative rapid test, individuals can visit Québec.ca/testcovid-19 to declare.