The number of COVID cases have been consistently rising all across the province. As of Monday, Quebec has reported more than 2,554 hospitalizations, with 248 people in intensive care and 26 new deaths.

Meanwhile, in a recent press conference with CISSSO officials on Thursday, Dre. Brigitte Pinard stated “If you’re ill, there is a one in two chance that you have COVID.”

Pinard emphasized the importance of self-isolation for anyone displaying symptoms of COVID or who have been in direct contact with someone exhibiting symptoms.

If individuals have been double-vaccinated and their symptoms are getting better (24 hours without a fever), they can return to work after 5 days of isolation, according to Pinard. If they have not been vaccinated, they should be isolated for 10 days before returning to work.

Accelerated vaccination schedule

The accelerated vaccination (third dose) schedule has begun, and vaccination appointments are available for the different age groups as indicated:

People 40 years and older;

People who have received two doses of AstraZeneca or Covishield;

Immunocompromised or dialysis patients age 12 and older;

People who have a chronic disease or health conditions that increase the risk of complications from COVID-19;

Pregnant women;

Caregivers;

People living in identified remote areas.

The third dose is also available for the following:

(Proof of employment will be requested at vaccination sites).

Recognized early childhood education workers;

Private or public health and social services system workers;

Paramedic and first responders;

Public security workers;

School employees;

Workers in community health and social service organizations;

Slaughterhouse workers and MAPAQ inspectors .

The third dose of the vaccine will subsequently be available for other age groups as follows:

People aged 35 and up: Jan. 12, 2022

People aged 25 and up: Jan. 14, 2022

People aged 18 and up: Jan. 17, 2022

The first dose is also available for children aged five to 11 years.

Vaccination appointments can be scheduled at the https:/portal3.clicsante.ca website.

Vaccination passports

In a Jan. 6 press conference, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé declared that his government was “saving unvaccinated people from themselves,” and said that the vaccination passport would now be mandatory at SAQs and SADQs.

The minister said that it was just the beginning, that further restrictions affecting non-essential services will be announced in the weeks to come.

COVID testing clinic

Covid testing has resumed as of January 10, 2022 at the CLSC clinic in Mansfield by appointment only, and for priority groups only. Opening hours are from 8 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

Appointments can be made online at https://cv19quebec.ca/ or by calling 1 877 644-4545.

Opening hours of the COVID-19 call center are from:

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sunday and holidays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

As of Jan. 7 CISSSO listed the following statistics for the Pontiac area:

Alleyn-et-Cawood 6 (+1)

Bristol: 9 (+2)

Bryson: 22 (+11)

Campbell’s Bay: 32 (+12)

Chichester: 15 (+7)

Clarendon: 5 or fewer

Fort-Coulonge: 82 (+28)

Île-du-Grand-Calumet: 13 (+5)

L’Îsles-aux-Allumettes: 29 (+4)

Litchfield: 5 or fewer

Mansfield and Pontefract: 137 (+29)

Otter Lake: 28 (+15)

Portage-du-Fort: 5 or fewer

Shawville: 77 (+24)

Sheenboro: 5 or fewer

Thorne: 5 or less

Waltham: 17 (+4)

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