Omicron's BA.5 variant makes up nearly half of Quebec's new COVID-19 cases
Quebec's seventh wave is underway and Omicron's latest subvariant, BA.5, accounts for about 43 per cent of new coronavirus cases, according to senior public health advisor Dr. Marie-France Raynault.
Raynault gave a news conference Thursday afternoon to provide an update on the spread of COVID-19 in Quebec, urging residents to maintain caution in the face of a "very contagious" new variant.
"We expect to have more hospitalizations in the next few weeks," she said.
However, even as hospitals become more crowded with COVID-19 patients, she said the situation is not yet critical, and pointed to the fact that about half of the people in hospital with the virus were admitted for another reason and were later confirmed to also have COVID-19.
"The situation is not so bad in that we don't have that many people in the intensive care units, that's important, but we still have a high rate of transmission."
READ MORE: What is the BA.5 variant and why does it seem to be reinfecting so many people with COVID-19?
For the time being, the province is not planning to reinstate any health-related restrictions.
"To live with COVID-19 is to live normally, but to take some very easy measures," she continued.
Those measures should include wearing a mask when social distancing isn't possible. She also encouraged people to play and meet outside, rather than indoors.
"And of course, get vaccinated," she added.
READ MORE: Quebec releases new vaccine guidelines as 7th wave begins
MORE DEATHS, HOSPITALIZATIONS
Note -- These numbers are based on a Thursday update from public health. For Friday's numbers, click here.
Public health is changing the way it reports hospital capacity by distinguishing between people in hospital for COVID-19 as opposed to those who tested positive after arrival.
On Thursday morning, it reported an increase of 93 total hospitalizations, with 258 new entries and 165 discharges. There were 1,860 people in hospital with the virus.
However, only 55 per cent of them were admitted for complications directly related to COVID-19, with the remainder being hospitalized for other conditions but tested positive after they arrived.
"That was not the case in previous waves, in 2020," said Raynault. "There are more people hospitalized with COVID than for COVID."
Meanwhile, there are 45 people with COVID-19 in the ICU, an increase of two from the previous day, with eight entries and six discharges.
Of those, 21 were admitted for COVID-19, while the others tested positive later on.
The province also reported 18 more deaths related to the virus, bringing that total to 15,726 since the pandemic began.
VACCINATION CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
On Thursday, Health Canada approved Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for infants and preschoolers, making it the first vaccine authorized for that age group in the country.
It's currently unclear when vaccines will become available to this age group in Quebec, and the province is still awaiting recommendations from its immunization committee, the CIQ, on how to roll out booster vaccinations for young children.
Raynault said the province has "all we need" to effectively deliver the shots, except for one thing.
"Not all people are trained to vaccinate babies," she said, adding that the province is considering new training for nurses to provide services for younger clientele.
"It's not the same thing to vaccinate an adult as it is to vaccinate a nine-month-old."
With files from CTV News Montreal's Lillian Roy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.