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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.