Covid-19 update: 11 actives case in the region, population advised to avoid unnecessary contact

Marking a rise of just a single case in 24 hours, the number of Covid-19 cases in the Outaouais since the start of the pandemic reached 12,597 as of July 30. According to the Centre intégré de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO), there were 11 active Covid-19 cases in the region at that time. With 215 deaths in the region, it noted that 12,371 people had recovered from the virus.

Last week, no people were hospitalized, while just one CISSSO employee was actively infected. Over the last week, CISSSO administered an average of 165 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 9,490 cumulative cases and 10 active ones. 

The MRC de Papineau has had 1,366 total cases, with five or less active cases; the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 567 with no active cases (same as last week); the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has recorded 765 cases with no active cases; and the MRC de Pontiac has seen 392 total cases, with no active cases. The origin of 18 cases had yet to be determined.

In the provincial government’s Covid-19 green zone, people are allowed to host indoor gatherings of no more than 10 people from different addresses or the maximum of three different households, and with a maximum of 20 people for outdoor gatherings. Still advising people to avoid unnecessary contact, local restaurant dining rooms are allowed to open with a maximum of 10 people from different addresses or the occupants from a maximum of three private dwellings per table. 

Outdoor patios can accommodate a maximum of 20 people per table. Attendance registers are mandatory.  Bars are also allowed to re-open at 50 per cent capacity stipulated on one’s respective liquor license, and singing (karaoke) and dancing remain prohibited for the time being.  It added that establishments must close by 2 am and stop selling alcohol at midnight. Capacities of people per table are the same for bars as well as restaurants.

Stadiums and large indoor halls can host events with a potential maximum capacity of 3,500 people. With more than 250 people, audiences must be separated into maximal sections of 250 people.

Summer camps can also resume, as well as 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. Museums, zoos, and aquariums can open in compliance with public safety measures.

In August, if more than 75 per cent of people aged 12 and up have their two doses, public safety measures should be alleviated gradually. 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. More COVID-19 related information regarding the Outaouais is available on CISSSO’s website.

--Vaccination update

CISSSO recommends everyone over 12 to get vaccinated. People aged 12 and 13 must have their legal guardian’s consent to be vaccinated.

Reminding to wait at least eight weeks between doses, CISSSO encourages people to get vaccinated at various walk-in clinics in the region, including the Palais des Congrès in Hull, the Wakefield La Pêche Community Centre, and the Complexe Sportif Whissell.

CISSSO plans to offer mobile vaccination clinics at the Gatineau Airport parking lot on August 4 from 9 am to 5 pm; at 111 rue Jean-Proulx in Gatineau from 2 pm to 10:30 pm; and at the Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi in Gracefield on August 13 from 10 am to 5 pm, for people to receive their first or second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines – with varying operating hours.

In the Pontiac, CISSSO will host mobile vaccination clinics at Harrington Hall in Allumettes-Island on August 2 from 10 am to 5 pm; at the Fort-Coulonge Golden Age Club on August 12 from 10 am to 3 pm; and at the Otter Lake Recreation Centre on August 17 from 10 am to 4:30 pm. 

With no appointment necessary at the mobile clinics, CISSSO will announce additional dates and locations as they become available.