COVID-19 update, cases continue to rise, vaccine plan ahead of schedule

The number of COVID-19 cases in the Outaouais since the start of the pandemic reached 5,548 on January 17, marking a rise of 22 cases from the previous day. According to the Centre intégré de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO), there were 360 active COVID-19 cases in the region at that time. With 142 deaths in the region so far – six more than last week - it noted that 5,046 people had recovered from the virus. It added that 19 people were hospitalized with two needing intensive care, adding that 96 of CISSSO’s employees were actively infected.

Over the previous week, CISSSO stated to have administered an average of 522 COVID-19 screening tests per day. Gatineau’s urban core has accounted for the majority of coronavirus cases in the region at this point with more than 4,000 cumulative cases and 256 active ones. 

The MRC de Papineau has had 689 total cases, with 65 active cases; the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 369 with 50 active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has recorded 274 cases with 19 active ones; and the MRC de Pontiac has seen 60 total cases, with five or less active ones. The origin of five or fewer cases has yet to be determined.

CISSSO noted that dozens of its health care facilities have been affected by the virus, counting more than 30 active outbreaks. Notably, that includes the CHSLD de la Renaissance in Aylmer has recorded five total cases, with everyone recovered, Château Symmes has seen three cases and two deaths, Résidence L’Initial has has 10 cases with everyone recovered, Résidence McConnell has seen six cases with everyone recovered, and the Chartwell Monastère d’Aylmer has accounted for six total cases, one death, one active case, and four people recovered.

--Vaccine update

On January 15, CISSSO said it received 610 doses of the Moderna vaccine and that they would all be administered on January 17. It added CISSSO had administered 4,387 doses in the region that point, including on 3,435 health care workers and 835 residents of long-term care facilities – noting that the region is ahead of schedule on its vaccination plan. The complete vaccinations in CHSLD’s in the Pontiac and the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau and start vaccinating in intermediate residences and seniors’ residences, CISSSO said it will focus its attention to those sectors – adding that it will start vaccinating in Kitigan Zibi as well.

Considering a limited supply of doses, CISSSO states that residents in long-term care facilities (CHSLD) are prioritized to get vaccinated, followed by front-line workers in direct contact to the population, old-age home (RPA) residents, and people in remote and isolated areas, before being rolled out to the rest of the population by age group in descending order. 

More COVID-19 related information regarding the Outaouais is available on CISSSO’s website - https://cisss-outaouais.gouv.qc.ca/covid-19/. 

People wanting to get tested for COVID-19 are encouraged to consult CISSSO’s online self-assessment tool before calling 1-877-644-4545 to set up an appointment within 24 hours.