COVID-19 and influenza: a first normal Christmas in five years in Quebec

Quebecers will experience a “normal” Christmas Eve with their loved ones for the first time in five years, while viruses should let us celebrate in peace.

“It’s a return to normality!” roll the D^r Mathieu Simon, intensivist at the University Institute of Pneumology and Cardiology of Quebec. At the moment, there is almost no flu, COVID-19 is rarer.”

The influenza season is slowly emerging in Quebec. In the last week, 251 cases were recorded, show data from the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec.

“We are not in an intense or early season at the moment,” underlines the D^r Karl Weiss, president of the Association of Microbiologists of Quebec. The peak should arrive in four to six weeks.

When we reach the peak of the flu season, we record more than 2,000 cases per week in the province.

Flu cases per week

• December 8 to 14: 251
• 1^is as of December 7: 135
• November 24 to 30: 121
• November 16 to 23: 61

_{Source: INSPQ, Influenza A+B}

As for COVID-19, 1,079 hospitalized Quebec patients had the virus last week. This figure has been declining since September and is much lower than in December 2022 and 2023.

“People are no longer hospitalized for COVID-19, notes the D^r Simon. We no longer see major pneumonias, the virus is more contagious, but less aggressive.

A little historical reminder

In 2020, the first year of COVID-19, Christmas gatherings were completely banned. The following year, the Omicron variant played spoilsport and meals were limited to 10 people.

The next two Christmases were marked by a lot of infections. Masks, tests, isolation, ventilation of homes, buffets to avoid: COVID-19 was still very present in our lives. Several contagious guests also had to stay at home.

And this year? Everything suggests that the celebrations will take place like in the good old days.

“I encourage people to have a festive and normal Christmas,” reiterates the D^r Weiss. You have to be careful, but […] COVID-19 is no longer as dangerous.”

He adds that cases of gastroenteritis and respiratory syncytial virus are also within the seasonal norm.

“But we must not forget ethics and avoid contaminating everyone we love,” insists the D^r Simon. You just have to be careful.”

In addition, doctors still encourage patients to get vaccinated for influenza. It is possible to get a free flu and COVID-19 vaccine simultaneously.

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19

• 2024*: 1079
• 2023: 2568
• 2022: 2826
• 2021: 329 (gatherings restricted to 10 maximum)
• 2020: 1173 (gatherings prohibited)

_{Editor’s note: data around December 10 of each year}

_{Source: MSSS}