After criticism, Quebec vaccination head to take over deployment of rapid tests in schools
The head of Quebec's COVID-19 vaccination strategy will oversee the deployment of rapid tests in schools after administrators criticized the rollout of the program.
Daniel Pare will be responsible for ensuring that schools across the province have access to rapid COVID-19 testing, Health Minister Christian Dube said Tuesday on Twitter.
An association representing school administrators in Montreal said on Monday that some schools had not yet received the rapid test kits.
Kathleen Legault, president of L'Association montrealaise des directions d'etablissement scolaire, said training videos had been received on Friday but they were aimed at medical professionals, not teachers. She said that while each test takes about 15 minutes, preparation time and verifying parental consent can take another 15 to 20 minutes.
"The teachers absolutely do not have the time to do these tests," Legault said Monday in an interview. "So, we're asking, who will conduct the tests? Because no staff has been added, no money has been added for this and we already have a shortage of staff in our schools."
Earlier on Tuesday, Quebec reported 633 new cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus. The Health Department said hospitalizations rose by three from the day before, to 230, and 78 people were in intensive care, a rise of three. Authorities said 14,116 doses of vaccine were administered Monday.
Quebec's public health institute says 88.4 per cent of residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of vaccine and 83.4 per cent are considered adequately vaccinated.
The public health institute says Laval, a large suburb of Montreal, is the most affected region in the province, with 196.6 active cases per 100,000 people, followed by the neighbouring region of Lanaudiere, with 113.4 active cases per 100,000 people. Across Quebec, there are 72.6 active cases per 100,000 people.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2021.
------
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.