Update regarding cases of Covid-19 on the Gaspé Peninsula
The Gaspé Peninsula Public Health Board is conducting investigations of two probable cases of covid-19. The two cases are considered “probable” until there is confirmation by the Winnipeg laboratory where all the initial analyses are sent. An investigation means that health officials are attempting to retrace the whereabouts (retracing their movements so as to ensure all others that may have come into contact with them were properly informed) of the two.
Dr. Iv Bonnier-Viger, Director of Public Health in the region, points out that if someone has not been contacted yet by the authorities, chances are that he or she has not been in contact with either of the cases.
In both cases, it is believed that they returned from a trip before instructions were put in place for those returning from abroad. The two people in question are in their respective homes and their symptoms are considered mild. They have not been hospitalized.
They are in a restricted area of their house, and their family members are in quarantine in that house.
Although one of the two people has confirmed on facebook of being infected by the coronavirus, Dr. Bonnier-Viger will not release additional information about that case, or the other case, for ethical reasons.
Chantal Duguay, director of the Regional Health and Social Service Centre (CISSS) encourages people coming back from a trip to start their quarantine right at the airport.
She urges people to stay calm, polite and respectful, especially on social media. There will an “after pandemic” and people will have to live together again.
Two probable cases of coronavirus under investigation in the Gaspé
Translation of press release received from CISSS de la Gaspésie
Gaspé, Saturday March 21, 2020 – The Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Public Health Department wishes to inform the population that two people, probably infected with COVID-19, have been identified in the region, more specifically in the Gaspé Peninsula.
These people are not related and are returning from a stay abroad. They were placed in isolation at home for a period of 14 days. Epidemiological investigations are underway. People who have been in close contact with these people have been identified and instructions have been issued.
The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) is making every effort to protect the population and also to support its personnel who strive to provide quality and safe care on a daily basis. Public Health wishes to remind everyone that every little action, each of us makes -matters, and that the measures recommended by the Government of Quebec must be followed.
The following measures should apply to the entire population:
– Practice basic hygiene measures, consisting of covering your mouth and nose with the fold of your elbow when coughing and sneezing or with a tissue and quickly throwing the tissue in the trash;
– Washing your hands frequently with soap and lukewarm water for 20 seconds is still an important measure to protect against most infections.
Finally, remember that people who experience symptoms or concerns about their health should contact 1 877 644-4545.