6th wave: Eastern Quebec hard hit

The regions of Est-du-Québec are hard hit by the 6^ewave of COVID-19, when they have never had so many hospitalizations and deaths linked to the virus in such a short time, in the run-up to Easter.

Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Côte-Nord have visibly become the epicenter of the pandemic in Quebec in recent weeks.

As of Thursday, their rate of active cases was the highest in the province, by far, with 727, 812 and 746 cases per 100,000 inhabitants respectively, according to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) (see below).

The situation is particularly worrying on the Bas-Saint-Laurent side, which is on its way to experiencing its deadliest month since the start of the health crisis.

In two weeks, 17 deaths have already been recorded, compared to the sad record set last January of 21 victims in one month.

Hospitalizations have also reached a critical threshold of 75 patients in the region, while the maximum number of beds planned is 70, according to what Radio-Canada reported on April 8.

General relaxation

“These regions were less affected by the previous waves, so there is a certain immunity which could not be achieved”, explains the D^rJacques Lapierre, retired virologist.

The more contagious variant has arrived in a sector that has been spared until now, at a time when measures are being reduced and a false sense of security reigns, he underlines.

He fears that this increase will soon be transported to the major centers. “We gave up a bit, as if COVID-19 no longer existed. We released everything at the same time, ”laments the D^r Stone.

Professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal Roxane Borgès Da Silva agrees.

The latter specifies that the spread of the virus is much greater than we believe since more and more people are testing themselves at home, without necessarily declaring their results.

Be careful at Easter!

The two experts say the long Easter weekend is likely to have significant repercussions in the spread of COVID-19, as on every holiday where gatherings are common.

“There is such pandemic fatigue that I fear that people will not respect the instructions to isolate themselves at the slightest symptom or for 10 days when one contracts the virus”, estimates M^me Borges da Silva.

“COVID has not disappeared! We have to make sure to put the most barriers between her and us, ”warns the D^r Lapierre, recalling the importance of three doses of vaccine, or four when possible, and denouncing the lifting of the mask at the end of April.