Regional update: Weekend of Sept. 19-20 sparks 8 new cases
The Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Public Health Board reported one new case of COVID-19 on September 19. That case is located in the MRC of Avignon. On September 20, seven additional cases were announced. Six of those cases are located in the Avignon MRC and one is located in the Côte-de-Gaspé MRC. Tracing is underway for all the cases.
Chez Stanley
In regards to the outbreak at Chez Stanley, a private seniors’ residence in St-Omer, Public Health says that less than five staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. All employees and residents have been tested.
When there are fewer than five cases, the exact number is not released because of privacy concerns.
There is currently an outbreak at the CHSLD in Maria
According to Public Health, so far, less than five (5) residents of the Maria CHSLD (government owed long-term care facility) have tested positive for COVID-19. Epidemiological investigations are underway and all families have been notified. All residents are currently isolated in their rooms.
That CHSLD houses 91 residents and nearly 130 employees work there. All residents and the vast majority of employees have been screened.
Two administrators, an infection prevention and control (PCI) nurse, and a SWAT team nurse have been dispatched to the scene. Staff mobility is not permitted. Dedicated teams are on site and all employees must wear personal protective equipment.
The Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Integrated Health and Social Services Centre is currently deploying all its efforts to prevent the spread of the virus in the residence.
Precautions for the public
The Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Public Health has noticed a strong increase in COVID-19 cases in the MRC of Avignon since yesterday morning. This growth can be seen in the community and in homes for the elderly.
The population is invited to be extra careful and to respect the basic sanitary measures:
- If symptoms of COVID-19 appear, stay home. Visit the site https://covid19.quebec.ca/surveys/cdd2/introduction to find out if a COVID-19 test is necessary;
- Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially if objects have been touched or shared by others;
- Keep at all times a distance of 2 metres from anyone who does not live at the same address;
- Wear a mask at all times in public places.
Complete portrait
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands is now 235. Presently, 213 individuals have recovered (90.6%). There are 13 active cases in the region (5.5%). Currently, there are not any COVID-19-related hospitalizations from the region. Regionally, fifty-nine health care workers (stable) have contracted the virus, 23 (stable) are CISSS employees.
Regional: MRC of Residence of the Cases
| MRC / living environment | Confirmed cases | Rate per 100,000 | Active Cases |
| Avignon (+6) – Community – Manoir du havre – Residence Saint Joseph | 100 61 28 11 | 679 404.2 NA NA | 9 n.d. 0 n.d. |
| Bonaventure | 58 | 332 | <5 |
| Rocher-Percé | 35 | 206 | 0 |
| Côte-de-Gaspé (+1) | 21 | 120 | <5 |
| Haute-Gaspésie | 10 | 91.4 | 0 |
| Magdalen Islands | 11 | 88.4 | 0 |
| Gaspé Peninsula Magdalen Islands | 235 | 260.9 | 13 (5.5%) |
Source: Gaspé Peninsula Public Health Board.
Evolution of new cases regionally
The totals for the province are as follows:
| Cases | Deaths | Hospitalizations | ICU |
| 67,542 (+462) | 5,802 (*+5) | 138 (+7) | 31 (stable) |
Regional update: September 18
The Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Public Health Board is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 on September 18. Two of the new cases are located in the Avignon MRC, one in the Côte-de-Gaspé MRC and one in the Magdalen Islands.
As of September 18, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands reached 227. Presently, 209 individuals have recovered (92.1%). There are currently nine active cases in the region (4%). Currently, there are not any COVID-19-related hospitalizations from the region. Regionally, fifty-nine health care workers (+4) have contracted the virus, 23 (+1) are CISSS employees. Since the start of the pandemic 19,043 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the region.
The CISSS is confirming that at Chez Stanley, a private seniors’ residence in St-Omer, less than five staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 and that all employees and residents have been tested. For privacy concerns, the CISSS cannot confirm the exact number when it is less than 5.
Regional: MRC of Residence of the Cases
| MRC / living environment | Confirmed cases | Rate per 100,000 | Active Cases |
| Avignon – Community – Manoir du havre – Residence Saint Joseph | 93 58 28 7 | 631.5 393.8 NA NA | |
| Bonaventure | 58 | 332 | |
| Rocher-Percé | 35 | 206 | |
| Côte-de-Gaspé | 20 | 114.2 | |
| Haute-Gaspésie | 10 | 91.4 | |
| Magdalen Islands | 11 | 88.4 | |
| Gaspé Peninsula Magdalen Islands | 227 | 252 | 9 (4%) |
Source: Gaspé Peninsula Public Health Board.
The New Brunswick government has announced that effective immediately residents of the Témiscouata MRC will no longer be permitted to enter the province for day trips. “With the rise of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Lower Saint Lawrence region of Quebec, we must be prudent and keep doing our part to keep New Brunswick safe and slow the spread of COVID-19,” says New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs.
Residents of that area can still cross the border for essential services, such as, for medical appointments, approved work and shared child custody. However, all previously approved registrations to and from Témiscouata for day trips are no longer valid. “This is a cabinet and COVID-19 all-party cabinet committee decision that took into consideration public health advice including epidemiology reports, rising cases and recent change in alerts levels in the Lower Saint Lawrence region of Quebec,” said Higgs.
It is important to note that this change does not affect residents of the Avignon MRC and the community of Listuguj. Day trips for those residents are still permitted as long as they pre-register.
The totals for the province are as follows:
| Cases | Deaths | Hospitalizations | ICU |
| 66,653 (+297) | 5,792 (stable) | 136 (stable) | 30 (+1) |