Due to an increase in cases of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, the integrated health and social services centers (CISSS) of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie are once again making it compulsory to wear a surgical mask in certain establishments or sectors.
Starting Wednesday, users, visitors and caregivers will be required to cover their faces when visiting certain sectors of CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent establishments. Workers and doctors will also have to comply with this directive when they provide care and services within two meters of a patient.
The places affected by the obligation to wear a mask in Bas-Saint-Laurent are emergency rooms, including waiting rooms, intensive care, short-term hospitalization units, rehabilitation units, psychiatric units as well as hemodialysis, oncology and neonatology services. “Depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation, other sectors of our establishments could be added to this list,” indicated the CISSS in a press release.
On the Gaspésie side, wearing a medical face covering has been required throughout Maria hospital since September 12. “This recommendation regarding the wearing of a mask is of indefinite duration,” wrote the CISSS of the region.
As of October 8, there were 1,658 people who were in hospital and who had tested positive for COVID-19, according to data presented on the website of the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec. The positivity rate was 15% for the week of October 6.
Quebec therefore announced on Monday the launch of its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 and influenza. The most vulnerable can make an appointment now to be immunized from October 16. This concerns Quebecers aged 60 and over, people with chronic illnesses or immunosuppressed people, pregnant women and health care workers.
As for the general population, they will in turn be able to reserve a time slot to roll up their sleeves from October 16.
The new COVID-19 vaccines that will be offered during the vaccination campaign this time target the KP.2 variant. This strain of the virus is one of those that was predominant in the province during the summer.
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