Covid-19 update: 960 active cases

 Premier François Legault announces reopening plan, opts-out of Trudeau’s emergency measures announcement

Sophie Demers

 

As of February 14, Centre Intégré de la Santé et des Services Sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) reports 197 new Covid-19 over the weekend. This brings the total number of cases in the area since the beginning of the pandemic to 34,502. There are currently 960 active cases in the region. There have been a total of 281 Covid-19 related deaths in the Outaouais. CISSSO highlights 34,261 people have now recovered from the virus. There are currently 62 individuals in the hospital with Covid-19, 5 of whom are in intensive care. A total of 117 of CISSSO employees currently have the virus.
The majority of Covid-19 cases are in Gatineau with 24,488 cumulative cases and 520 active cases. The MRC de Papineau has had 4,557 total cases and currently has 192 active cases; the MRC de Pontiac has had a total of 1,141 cases and currently has 87 active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has had a total of 2,703 cases and has 86 active cases; and, the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 1,469 total cases and currently has 83 active cases. The origin of 12 cases is yet to be determined.
–Provincial safety regulations updated
On February 14, more measures were lifted for sports and recreation, outdoor public events, and spas and saunas. Outdoor public events now have a 5,000 people capacity limit. Spas and saunas are able to reopen at 50% capacity. Sports matches for all activities are permitted and indoor sports and recreation classes and activities are able to have groups of 25 people maximum in attendance. Finally, indoor gyms, interior golf and climbing gyms are able to reopen at a 50% capacity. For all activities that reopened on the 14 of February, vaccine passports are required.
Starting on the 21st of February, the capacity limit for the SAQ, SQDC and big box stores will be lifted. Vaccine passports will be required to access these services. Recreational centres, such as arcades, water parks, and amusement centers will reopen at a 50% capacity with vaccine passports. Places of worship will reopen at 50% capacity for a maximum of 500 people with the vaccine passport. People with vaccine passports will be allowed to gather in person for meetings, conferences and assemblies. Indoor public events, such as cinemas, sports events and concerts or shows will reopen at 50% capacity with vaccine passports. Sanitary measures will be put in place if the event has 1,000 or more spectators.
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.
–Vaccination and Testing 

A fourth dose is recommended for those 18 years of age or older who are immunocompromised or on dialysis.
CISSSO 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. 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 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.