As Quebec safety measures have started to ease in March, interim public health director Dr. Luc Boileau said Quebec is looking like it’s heading towards a sixth wave.

In a press conference on Sunday, Boileau confirmed that it is normal to see fluctuations and a rise in cases, yet it is still too soon to call it a sixth wave. He added that he plans on waiting to hear from Institut national de santé publique du Québec experts . . .

before announcing it, but said, “it looks like one.”

“Let’s try to live with it right now, even if there is a progression, let’s try to work with the capacity of the population to adjust itself,” said Boileau.

Quebec has no plans to reintroduce new safety measures, he added.

Despite the variant’s spread, Boileau confirmed the province will continue with its planned lift of public masking requirements by April 15.

Quebec Premier François Legault tested positive for COVID-19 after developing symptoms on March 24, he took to Twitter and said “I will continue to work remotely for the next 5 days, in accordance with public health guidelines. We see it with the rise in cases lately, the virus is present in Quebec. Let’s continue to be careful. We’ll get through this together.”

On March 23, the municipality of Pontiac announced that many of its workers at the town hall have tested positive for COVID-19. “As a result, we are short-staffed and ask for your patience in the processing of your administrative services. Thank you for your understanding.”

In additon, Health Canada has authorized Paxlovid for use in Canada. It is the first specific oral treatment against COVID-19. It comes in the form of tablets.

The medicine is said to reduce the severity of symptoms of COVID-19 in people at risk of developing serious complications. It would reduce the risk of being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19.

The Paxlovid treatment should be started within five days when a person first feels the symptoms of the virus and must be taken for five consecutive days, according to the Goverment of Quebec’s website.

As of March 30, CISSSO listed the following statistics for the Pontiac area:

Alleyn-et-Cawood: 9 (no increase)

Bristol: 25 (no increase)

Bryson: 37 (+1)

Campbell’s Bay: 45 (+2)

Chichester: 32 (no increase)

Clarendon: 5 or fewer (no increase)

Fort-Coulonge: 144 (+6)

Île-du-Grand-Calumet: 21 (+4)

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

Litchfield: 5 or fewer (no increase)

Mansfield and Pontefract: 229 (+5)

Otter Lake: 44 (+1)

Portage-du-Fort: 6 (+1)

Rapide-des-Joachims 5 (no increase)

Shawville: 128 (+3)

Sheenboro: 5 or fewer (no increase)

Thorne: 5 or fewer (no increase)

Waltham: 20 (no increase)

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