Still concerned by the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases during the Festival d’été de Québec, public health is now warning that the Pope’s visit to the capital could lead to some level of transmission, especially given the event likely to attract older people who are therefore more vulnerable.
Updated July 26th
Henri Ouellette-Vézina La Presse
“Are we expecting an increase in cases? It’s not impossible, but what worries us more is the age of the people who could catch the virus. Currently, most of the 225 people hospitalized in Quebec are generally over 60 years old,” explained La Presse, the medical assistant to the director of public health, Dr. Jacques Girard.
He says that while transmission appears to have slowed in the rest of the province, it is still “quite significant” in the Quebec region.
We are less concerned with the number of new cases than with the impact this may have on the people who will be taking part in activities surrounding the Pope’s visit.
dr Jacques Girard, Medical Assistant to the Director of Public Health
dr Girard added that his team will be “closely monitoring” the progress of COVID-19-related hospitalizations at Quebec hospitals.
Following the sovereign Pope’s arrival in the capital, certain “contingency plans” were also put in place to avoid a potential “service gap” in the network. “Everything is planned,” assures the expert and hopes that the arrival in August will calm the situation in the region.
Until then, Public Health is asking “people to bring a mask and possibly wear it if distancing isn’t possible” near papal activities, stresses Mr Girard. “For people with certain medical conditions or immune issues, we recommend wearing the mask without even asking the question. Age is also an important factor,” he emphasizes.
Calls for vigilance
In a Tuesday press release, the Capitale-Nationale Public Health issued a new call for vigilance, urging citizens to “be extra careful” and to take all precautionary measures against the virus. “Even when events take place outdoors, large and dense crowds can be an important vector of infection,” recalled Dr. Girard.
In order to limit the transmission of the virus as much as possible, alcoholic disinfectant solutions and medical masks are also distributed to the public at the boarding points of the transport shuttles. “We strongly encourage people to use them, especially if they are unable to maintain proper physical distancing,” stressed Dr. Girard further.
His team also reminds that in the expected hot weather, the population should protect themselves from discomfort and dehydration by bringing a hat, water and food, especially for activities that will last several hours. , in large crowds. Ambulances are deployed as a precautionary measure near places of assembly.
Public Health invites anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 to avoid participating in planned activities by acting “responsibly”.
As such, only people who are asymptomatic, have not been in contact with a case, or have not tested positive should attend indoor and outdoor gathering places.
Last week, the national director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau that during the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ) a strong transmission had been generated in the capital. According to him, the situation for the summer season requires “great vigilance”. He had also urged the populace – particularly the most vulnerable – to wear the mask in large gatherings, including outdoors. According to the latest available data, sewage surveys and PCR tests show that the spread is increasing in the Quebec City region.
Pope Francis will spend two nights in Quebec. Activities will take place on July 27th and 28th on the Plains of Abraham, with an address by the Pope from the Citadel on July 27th. On July 28, there will also be a mass in the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré basilica.