Covid-19 update,

---New case-count low, re-opening virtually everything in Outaouais

With just six new cases in 24 hours, health officials watch covid numbers in case of spikes with re-opening of virtually everything in Outaouais. The number of Covid-19 cases in the Outaouais since the start of the pandemic reached 12,436 on June 21. According to the Centre intégré de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO), there were 68 active Covid-19 cases in the region at that time. With 214 deaths in the region so far, it noted that 12,154 people had recovered from the virus.

Last week, four people were hospitalized with one requiring intensive care, and three CISSSO employees were actively infected. Over the last week, CISSSO administered an average of 482 Covid-19 screening tests per day.  CISSSO said that Gatineau’s urban core has accounted for the majority of coronavirus cases in the region at this point with 9,360 cumulative cases and 44 active ones. 

The MRC de Papineau has had 1,348 total cases, with 16 active cases; the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 565 with no active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has recorded 755 cases with one active ones; and the MRC de Pontiac has seen 393 total cases, with seven active ones. The origin of 15 cases had yet to be determined. With the Outaouais now in the provincial government’s Covid-19 yellow zone, restaurant patios and dining rooms are allowed to open with occupants from a maximum of two private dwellings per table. Bars are also allowed to re-open at 50 per cent capacity with social distancing, noting that singing and dancing is prohibited for the time being, as is selling alcohol past 11 pm. Private outdoor gatherings of no more than eight people or occupants of two households, and inter-regional travel are also permitted. Stadiums and large indoor halls can host events with a potential maximum capacity of 2,500 people.

On June 25, summer camps will be allowed to resume, as will outdoor public events and activities with certain conditions, lightening of mask wearing restrictions during gatherings for people who have been vaccinated twice and of restrictions in stadiums and large indoor facilities. In August, if more than 75 per cent of people aged 12 and up have their two doses, public safety measures should be alleviated gradually. Details about the provincial government’s safety regulations are available on its website. 

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. More COVID-19 related information regarding the Outaouais is available on the  CISSSO website.

--Vaccination update

CISSSO says everyone over 12 is eligible for vaccination. Reminding to wait at least eight weeks between their first and second shots, CISSSO is encouraging the population to get vaccinated at a variety of walk-in clinics located in the region, including the Palais des Congrès in Hull, the Wakefield La Pêche Community Centre, and the Complexe Sportif Whissell.

Throughout July, CISSSO plans to offer mobile vaccination clinics in different parts of Hull, Aylmer, and Gatineau, alternating sites every day. With no appointment necessary at the mobile clinics, CISSSO says it will announce additional dates and locations as they become available.