Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 01, 2024 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 13 hours, 2 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: Quebec is currently experiencing a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, primarily driven by the highly transmissible KP.3 variant. The province's positivity rate has surged from 2.3% in March to a staggering 16.3% by early July. This spike has been attributed to a combination of factors, including summer gatherings, increased travel, and the relaxed public health measures that came with the warmer months.
Quebec faces a steep rise in COVID-19 Cases and hospitalizations
As of the latest update, for the week July 21st to July 27th 2024, there were 1,986 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Quebec. A total of 26 new COVID-19 deaths were also reported for the same period.
https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/situation-coronavirus-in-quebec
Quebec has reported a total of 1,468,586 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the total number of deaths related to the virus stands at 20,251.
The Impact on Hospitals
This rise in cases has had a substantial impact on Quebec's healthcare system. Over the past month, COVID-19-related hospitalizations have tripled. As of the 27th of July, nearly 913 patients were hospitalized due to the virus, a sharp increase from the 300 reported just three weeks prior. While many of these patients were admitted for other reasons and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, the strain on hospitals is undeniable.
33 patients of these patients are in intensive care. The province has also administered 21,756,662 vaccine doses, emphasizing the ongoing effort to protect the population.
Local
COVID-19 News coverages are also showing a rise in outpatients visits to hospitals and clinics due to rising symptoms of respiratory infections.
The Role of New Variants
New variants of the virus, including the KP.3 and its various sub-lineages (also known as the FluQE variant), have been particularly concerning for health officials. These variants are not necessarily more severe but are significantly more transmissible. The KP.1.1 variant, for instance, is estimated to be about 30% more transmissible than previous strains.
Preparing for the Fall
With the fall season approaching, health officials are preparing for a potential further increase in cases as children return to school and people spend more time indoors. Quebec's Health Minister Christian Dubé has announced a new vaccination campaign set to launch in October, targeting the new updated vaccines that are expected to better combat the current variants.
Recommendations for the Public
The Quebec public health authorities strongly recommend that vulnerable groups, including seniors, long-term care residents, immunocompromised individuals, and healthcare workers, receive a booste
r shot this fall. This advice is based on the latest recommendations from the province's immunization committee and public health director Dr Luc Boileau. (How effective and safe are these vaccines need to be clarified by the same advocates of these vaccines.)
For the general population, while there is no mandate to change behavior drastically, health officials encourage continued caution. This includes wearing masks in crowded places and practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. The availability of rapid tests in pharmacies and vaccination centers also remains a crucial tool in managing the spread of the virus.
Looking Ahead
As Quebec navigates this challenging period, the emphasis remains on readiness and adaptability. The healthcare system is gearing up to handle an increased number of cases, with vaccination campaigns and public health advisories playing key roles in the province's strategy. While the situation is dynamic, the collective efforts of health authorities and the public will be essential in mitigating the impact of this latest surge.
For ongoing updates and latest
COVID-19 News, readers are encouraged to follow announcements from Quebec's health department and consult trusted sources for the latest developments or log in to Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/u-s-medical-news-connecticut-faces-rising-covid-19-cases
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/u-s-medical-news-new-jersey-faces-new-covid-19-wave-elderly-and-vulnerable-at-risk
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