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Regional update: Three new cases of COVID-19
MARIA –According to the the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Public Health Board there are three new cases of coronavirus in the region, which brings the total to 149.
Two of those cases are part of the IGA New Richmond and Paspebiac clusters. The third new case is connected to the Manoir du Havre outbreak.
There are no casualties reported in the region for the eighth consecutive day. Three individuals are still hospitalized in Rimouski, including one in intensive care.
Meanwhile, the epidemiological investigation tied two additional cases of COVID-19 to the IGA (Paspebiac and New Richmond) outbreak. Those two cases were part of the Wednesday, April 22 update but were not attributed at the time to a specific outbreak. There are now 21 cases of COVID-19 stemming from that IGA outbreak.
Two other cases that were also part of the April 22 update are still under investigation and for now haven’t been linked to a known outbreak.
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Regional update: Eight new cases of COVID-19
CARLETON: – There are eight new cases of COVID-19 in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands for a total of 146.
Four of the new cases are “closely and not closely,” linked to the IGA grocery stores in Paspebiac and New Richmond. This means that some of the cases involve family members of IGA employees.
An additional health sector employee has also tested positive, bringing the total of health care workers with COVID-19 in the region to 32. Twelve of the 32 workers are employed by the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS).
The Public Health Board is still investigating three of the new cases, and for now, is not providing any details about the cluster origins of those cases.
The number of casualties is still six. Five additional people have recovered from COVID-19, for a total of 41. There are no new hospitalizations. A total of 15 people have been hospitalized so far. Three people are currently hospitalized at Rimouski hospital, including one in intensive care.
Meanwhile, the IGA grocery store in New Richmond is now closed to customers, but its remaining staff is still taking online and phone orders. Customers can pick up their orders at the store or have them delivered by the grocer. A similar protocol was implemented at the Paspebiac IGA several days ago.
The breakdown of the 146 cases by territory (containing a hospital) is as follows:
- Bay of Chaleur sector – 107
- Rocher-Percé sector – 22
- Magdalen Islands – 9
- Côte-de-Gaspé – less than 5
- Haute-Gaspésie – less than 5
The Public Health Board does not release numbers in a sector with less than five cases.
In order to better protect the population by reducing the risk of spreading the virus between symptomatic people and asymptomatic people, the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) has announced that the emergency departments at Maria, Chandler, Gaspé and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospitals are now Designated Assessment Clinics (CDEs) for COVID-19.
A press release from CISSS states that the opening of these evaluation clinics makes it possible to concentrate health assessment services with a family doctor for all patients with symptoms similar to COVID-19, the flu and gastroenteritis, as well as those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are under investigation (awaiting screening results or have a confirmed appointment).
The CISSS is asking those with the above-mentioned symptoms to call 1 877 644-4545 for advice and to obtain a first clinical health assessment. Patients with those symptoms who would like to consult with a family doctor are asked to not show up in person at emergency departments, medical clinics or CLSCs.
Anyone who is asymptomatic (has no symptoms) can receive care from primary care environments (medical clinics, CLSCs). If you do not have the above-mentioned symptoms, you can call your local clinic to request an appointment. InfoSanté 811 can also be called to quickly reach a nurse in the event of a non-urgent health problem. The service is offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.