Update on Covid situation in Outaouais

Sophie Demers

As of April 19, there were 61 confirmed cases based on test reports in April, according to the Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec (INSPQ). In March there were 236 confirmed cases at the same institute. People have been reporting their test results to health authorities since mid-2022.

The government of Canada reports the main Covid-19 variant circulating is Omicron and its sub-lineages. Canada states that Omicron is more transmissible than previous variants. According to the data on April 12 there were 45,138 reported tests in the previous week. Of these tests, 10.8% were positive. In that same time frame, in Quebec, 17,147 weekly tests were reported and 9.4% had a positive Covid-19 result. 

Centre Intégré de Santé et de Service Sociaux  de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) has not updated their covid hospitalization data since February 15. CISSSO spokespeople were unable to respond before press time about why this information is no longer updated.

— Booster doses

It is recommended that people living in long-term care centres (CHSLD), private residences for seniors (RPA), people who are over 60 years of age, pregnant women, immunocompromised people, people living in remote areas, and health care workers get a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine every 6 months if they have never had Covid-19. 

Individuals who are immunocompromised or on dialysis can receive a booster dose every six months, regardless of whether they have had Covid-19 in the past. 
Residents living in CHSLDs, intermediate and family-type resources (RR-RTFs), and RPAs have mobile teams who travel to their residence; therefore, no action is required for these individuals to book an appointment. 

For other residents looking to get a booster dose, they can book an appointment through the online portal Quebec.ca/vaccinCOVID. Those with difficulties accessing the online site can call 1-877-644-4545.