There have been 2,596 new covid cases recorded as of April 11, bringing the total number of people infected to 1,003,491. Hospitals experienced an increase of 85 new patients in the same timeframe.

When asked if he was confident that the healthcare system will be able to meet demand after Easter, interim public health director, Dr. Luc Boileau highlighted that his main concerns are to protect the people that are at risk and to protect the accessibility of the health care system.

“It’s a tough ride and we expect it to be still difficult for the next few days or a couple of weeks, but we are quite confident that we can hold the system to be able to sustain the services that are needed,” said Boileau on April 8.

Those 70 years old and older were eligible to receive a second booster last week, but as of April 11 registration for anyone 60 years and up is available.

In terms of testing in Quebec, it now limits access to PCR tests at government screening centres to specific priority groups, such as health workers in direct contact with the public, Indigenous communities and homeless people.

People can still receive free home rapid tests from pharmacies. Quebec also published a guide explaining when and how to use rapid tests, as well as a flowchart outlining what to do when you have results.

As of April 13, CISSSO listed the following statistics for the Pontiac area:

Alleyn-et-Cawood: 9 (no increase)

Bristol: 25 (no increase)

Bryson: 40 (+5)

Campbell’s Bay: 47 (+5)

Chichester: 32 (no increase)

Clarendon: 5 or fewer (no increase)

Fort-Coulonge: 149 (+6)

Île-du-Grand-Calumet: 21 (no increase)

L’Îsles-aux-Allumettes: 40 (no increase)

Litchfield: 5 or fewer (no increase)

Mansfield and Pontefract: 232 (+9)

Otter Lake: 44 (+1)

Portage-du-Fort: 6 (no increase)

Rapide-des-Joachims 5 (no increase)

Shawville: 132 (+5)

Sheenboro: 5 or fewer (no increase)

Thorne: 5 or fewer (no increase)

Waltham: 20 (no increase)

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