New Cases: There are six new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands. This brings the total number of cases in the region to 1,657. There is also one additional hospitalization in the region.
New cases:
- 1 – Avignon MRC
- 1 – Bonaventure MRC
- 3 – Rocher-Percé MRC
- 1 Côte-de-Gaspé MRC
Active cases
There are currently 87 active cases in the region:
- Avignon MRC – 14
- Bonaventure MRC – less than 5
- Rocher-Percé MRC – 51
- Côte-de-Gaspé MRC – 18
- Haute-Gaspésie MRC – less than 5
- Magdalen Islands – less than 5
Vaccines: Number of administered doses of the vaccine in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands: 556
The Gaspé Peninsula CISSS is confirming that the COVID-19 vaccination campaign underway at the Cap-Chat CHSLD. Similar to the first vaccination delivery which took place at the CHSLD in New Carlisle, the choice of the location for the start of vaccinations in the Haute-Gaspésie had to meet very specific criteria from Pfizer. According to the CISSS, those being vaccinated must correspond to the clientele prioritized by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS), such as residents of the Cap Chat CHSLD, family caregivers (according to pre-established criteria) and the CHSLD staff. In addition, some vulnerable residents of intermediate resources and family-type resources in the region could be vaccinated at the same time if the vulnerability and the level of care they require corresponds to those of the CHSLD.
“Despite the vaccinations, we must not forget the health measures that we have been asking the population to apply since the start of the pandemic. These will have to be followed rigorously until a good percentage of the population is vaccinated,” specifies the Regional director of Public Health, Dr. Yv Bonnier Viger.
In addition, the vaccination campaign is continuing in the Bonaventure MRC and should be completed by the end of the week. The MRC of Rocher-Percé will then be the next to receive vaccinations.
Key points from Premier Legault’s 5 p.m. press conference:
The Premier reminded Quebecers that the situation is critical and as a result some difficult decisions had to be made in order to protect the population. Those measures were deemed a “shock treatment”.
- Working from home will remain compulsory.
- Non-essential businesses will remain closed until February 8 (limited curb-side pick-up will be permitted).
- Grocery stores and depanneurs will have to close at 7:30 p.m.
- Pharmacies and depanneurs with gas pumps will be excluded from the 7:30 p.m. closure.
- A curfew (8 p.m. to 5 a.m.) will be in place between January 9 and February 8.
- Places of worship will be closed with the exception of funerals (10 people max.).
- Primary schools will reopen on January 11. Masks will have to be worn in hallways, and grades 5 and 6 must wear masks in their classrooms.
- High school students will return to in-class learning on January 18. Students will receive two procedural masks each day and it will be mandatory for them to wear those masks.
- Daycares will remain open.
- Individual activities such as skiing and skating will be permitted.
- Individuals aged 65+ are asked to stay home and not take any unnecessary exposure risks.
- Manufacturing and construction businesses may remain open but are asked to concentrate on “essential work” only.
Upcoming dates to remember:
Thursday: Minister of Public Safety will discuss policing issues and fines ($1000-$6000).
Friday: Press conference regarding COVID-19 and the schools.
Provincial numbers:
- Total cases 217,999
- Total new cases +2,641
- Recovered cases 184,904
- Total deaths 8,488
- New deaths +47
- Current hospitalizations 1,393
- New hospitalizations +76
- Total individuals in ICU 202
- New individuals in ICU +8
- Total vaccinations administered 38,984
- New vaccinations administered +6,221