Dear Quebec friends, everyone must pay attention to their health!
According to the latest report published by La Presse, a full million Quebecers have been infected with respiratory diseases in the last two weeks, and the number is rising.
Luc Boileau, Quebec's director of public health, warns residents to take precautions.
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Luc Boileau unveiled to the public a new set of data on infections in the province.
"Even though a lot of people have already been infected with the virus and have antibodies, there are still some people who are spreading the virus, and now there are 40,000-50,000 people infected with the new crown every day in this province. ”
Luc Boileau singled out the new variant JN.1 that has recently emerged, saying that it is not a more dangerous variant, but a more contagious variant.
In addition to the new coronavirus, there is also an outbreak of influenza A in the province, with about 10.9% of tests positive.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is stable, although children are still more affected, with a positivity rate of 10.2%.
Luc Boileau warns that it is not yet the time for a real respiratory illness, and that the next few months will be the time when the respiratory disease epidemic will become more intense.
With the Christmas and New Year holidays coming up in Quebec, Luc Boileau urged patients with symptoms to stay home and stay out of the house and wear masks when participating in social events until the symptoms disappear.
In addition, Luc Boileau reiterated his call for COVID and flu vaccinations for people with underlying medical conditions.
Health Minister Dube said at a press conference on Tuesday that the situation in Quebec's health network remains "extremely difficult" with the outbreak of respiratory diseases and the arrival of the holiday season.
Dube appealed to Quebec residents to help ease the tension in the emergency room, and if the situation is not urgent, try not to go to the emergency room, there are other options for everyone to see a doctor.
Dr. Laurie Plotnick, Director of Emergency Medicine at Children's Hospital of Montreal, also urged parents to call the 811 hotline for advice or to make an appointment for medical treatment.
All in all, the holiday season is coming soon, and now is also the time of high incidence of infectious diseases, please pay attention to safety and do a good job of protection!