NEW RICHMOND – There are three new cases of COVID-19 in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands as of April 24.
The three cases are all tied to the outbreak that occurred at the IGA grocery stores in Paspebiac and New Richmond. This brings the total number of cases tied to that outbreak to 24, only a week after it was first reported.
The totals for the other regional outbreaks are:
- Residence Saint Joseph outbreak = 10 cases
- Manoir du Havre outbreak = 80 cases.
Five additional people have recovered from the coronavirus, which brings the total to 46. There are no new casualties to report in the area, and no new hospitalizations. Two individuals are still hospitalized in Rimouski due to COVID-19. So far, 15 people from the region have been hospitalized. Six people have died as a result of the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.
So far, thirty-two health sector employees (private and public) have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre recruited 330 people as a resulted of their employment drive. The breakdown is as follows:
- 197 students (full and part-time)
- 109 healthcare retirees
- 24 from the education sector
Up to 350 health sector employees are currently not at work for various reasons, mostly sick leaves.