Public Health invites the population to be careful during festive events during the summer season, suggesting that they wear a mask if necessary.
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In the national capital, the health network had noticed an increase in cases among its staff following the Festival d’été de Québec.
“People participated in large numbers, and that certainly meant that we had more cases. Many people have been affected, and among these, there have been health workers, “revealed the Dr Luc Boileau, national director of public health, during a press briefing on Thursday.
To this end, he suggests wearing a mask during large gatherings, particularly for people at risk.
“Even if we are outside, being very close means that we can catch it. In a festival, where we are all packed, the mask is not a bad idea, ”he argued.
As of Thursday, 2,149 new cases detected by PCR tests had been recorded in the province, as well as 2,110 hospitalizations linked to COVID-19.
The Dr Boileau urges the population to be cautious, while cases of COVID-19 have been on the rise in recent weeks, Quebec being at the heart of a seventh wave.
“It is a virus that has evolved, it is not the same as in the past. It is more contagious, but we are lucky that it is less virulent”, explained the Dr Boileau.
He reiterates that vaccination is essential to avoid the most serious cases, and that after a period of five to six months, it is important to get a booster dose.
Dr. Boileau also recalls the importance of respecting basic measures, such as washing your hands, having “respiratory etiquette” and wearing a mask if necessary.
For the moment, however, both the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, and the Dr Boileau, dismiss the idea of reimposing new health restrictions.
“We must be careful in the idea of bringing back compulsory measures. I still believe, after analysis, that we are able to get through this, if everyone puts their good will into it, ”explained the Dr Boileau.
Immunization of children
The vaccination of children aged six months to five years will begin in Quebec from next Monday, also confirmed the Dr Luc Boileau, national director of public health.
The Quebec Committee on Immunization (CIQ) issued a favorable opinion on Thursday to this effect.
“It’s a reduced dosage that is suitable for children, and it offers a very good immune response after two doses,” explained the Dr.r Boileau Thursday, during a press conference.
Last week, Health Canada approved Moderna’s Spikevax vaccine, aimed at children aged six months to five years.
Quebec also received 70,000 doses from the government last week in order to begin its vaccination campaign.
All parents who wish can have their child vaccinated. Public Health particularly recommends the vaccine for immunosuppressed or cancerous children who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19.