Covid-19 Regional Update

August 11, 2021 — Penny MacWhirter

Current Situation:

On August 11, one new case of Covid was confirmed in the region. That case is located in the Avignon MRC. There are currently three active cases.

Vaccination Situation:

The most recent CISSS numbers estimate the following percentages regarding vaccination coverage for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands:

In a press release this week the regional CISSS stated that it is changing its vaccination strategy and that over the next few days it will dismantle the large vaccination centres that have been in use throughout the vaccination campaign. They will instead use a more precise strategy. They will do this in two different ways:

• Vaccination clinics with or without an appointment will be set up in certain sectors where screening clinics are currently located;
• Mobile clinics will continue to travel to the 5 MRCs in the region. Vehicles will park in one place and spend part of the day at that location vaccinating citizens. Mobile vaccination clinics will essentially become walk-in clinics. The CISSS says the schedules for these clinics will be published regularly to ensure ease for citizens who wish to find a clinic on a given day (currently the schedules are not available in English, Spec has therefore included a chart below).

It should be noted that all clinics will have doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will be open according to the schedule available in the “COVID-19 vaccination operation” tab of the CISSS website, or until exhaustion of doses.

The Director of Public Health for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Dr. Yv Bonnier-Viger, says “The Covid virus has transformed. The Delta variant is much more contagious. To be protected from severe forms of Covid, we need two doses of the vaccine. For people who still haven’t received their first dose, it’s not too late. For those who have not received their second dose, now is the time to optimize your protection by getting that second dose.”

People who would like to make an appointment can do so at clicsanté.ca or by phone at 1 877-644-4545. For all questions relating to your proof of vaccination, the vaccination operation in general, or appointments for the second dose, call 1-877-725-2515.

Schedule for vaccinations with or without an appointment:

Regional update: Possible outbreak connected to Hart store in Chandler; Walk-in clinics in New Richmond and Paspebiac

May 21, 2021 — Penny MacWhirter

The Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Department of Public Health is calling on anyone who was at the Hart store in Chandler between May 14 and 18 inclusively and who has COVID-19 symptoms to go for a screening test.

The communication from Public Health says “It is recommended to make an appointment via the site or by phone (1 877 644-4545). Those affected are not subject to quarantine unless they have COVID-19 symptoms. If this is the case, they should quarantine until they receive their screening result.” To avoid a long waiting period, it is recommended that you do not go to a walk-in clinic.

Vaccination Update

There will be two walk-in vaccination clinics available for individuals who have not yet been able to secure an appointment for their first COVID-19 vaccination. You must bring your medicare card. Anyone with an appointment already booked for a different date and time will be refused entry.

• Tuesday, May 25, from noon to 8 p.m., at Carrefour Baie-des-Chaleurs, in New Richmond, located at 122 boulevard Perron Ouest (the former SAQ location);
• Thursday, May 27, from noon to 8 p.m., at the Paspebiac Sports Complex, located at 185 rue Maldemay.

Everyone 18+ may now book an appointment by clicking here.

Teens: Starting May 25, teens aged between 12 and 17 will be able to book appointments for a vaccination, Pfizer is the approved vaccine for this age group in Quebec. Refer to previous post for more info.

Regional portait

Provincial portrait