Covid-19 update: 630 active cases

 CNESST announces the slow return to work in hybrid mode

Sophie Demers

 

As of February 25, Centre Intégré de la Santé et des Services Sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) reported 56 new Covid-19 cases over the weekend. There are currently 630 active cases in the region. There have been a total of 287 Covid-19 related deaths in the Outaouais. CISSSO highlights 34,245 Covid cases are resolved. There are currently 25 individuals in the hospital with Covid-19, seven of whom are in intensive care. A total of 77 of CISSSO employees currently have the virus. This brings the total number of cases in the Outaouais since the beginning of the pandemic to 35,162.
The majority of Covid-19 cases are in Gatineau with 24,871 cumulative cases and 346 active cases. The MRC de Papineau has had 4,696 total cases and currently has 132 active cases; the MRC de Pontiac has had a total of 1,177 cases and currently has 46 active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has had a total of 2,746 cases and has 41 active cases; and, the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 1,525 total cases and currently has 58 active cases. The origin of seven cases is yet to be determined.
–Provincial safety regulations updated
The Commission des normes, de l’Équité, de la Santé et de la Sécurité du Travail (CNESST) announced that, as of February 28, employers may start the progressive return to work in hybrid mode. Safety measures will require social distancing or the presence of physical barriers or wearing a mask. In elevators and any other mode of transport, masks will be required. No capacity limits will be imposed and limited food and beverage consumption will be permitted but not recommended. In common areas such as cafeterias, no physical barriers are required during food consumption.
As of March 7, elementary and high school students will no longer be required to wear a mask in class.
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 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 person.
The City will start the 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 telework.
–Vaccination and testing
A fourth dose is recommended for those 18 years of age or older who are immunocompromised or on dialysis. The municipal, provincial and federal government authorities continue to encourage citizens to get vaccinated.
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 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.