COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Wednesday
CBC
*Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays. It will not be publishing daily COVID-19 data on Dec. 24, 25, and 26, as well as Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and 2.
The FSSS-CSN union is speaking out against Quebec's decision to allow some health-care workers infected with COVID-19 to report for work without isolating.
Réjean Leclerc, president of the union, says allowing employees who tested positive to treat patients is counterproductive.
"There are enough sick people in hospital and to add infected staff, even asymptomatic ones, increases the risks of contagion among employees and generating more absences," he told Radio-Canada's Tout un matin.
Health Minister Christian Dubé announced Tuesday that some health-care workers who test positive for the virus no longer need to isolate given the rising number of COVID-related absences. He said decisions would be made on a "case-by-case" basis.
More than 700 people are currently hospitalized with the disease. Over the last week, the province increased the number of available COVID beds, causing delays to other non-urgent medical procedures.
Dubé said the province is still learning about how severe the majority of Omicron variant cases will be, and urged all Quebecers to get vaccinated.
WATCH | Public health director gives examples of when COVID-positive employees can keep working:
The health minister also announced Quebec is widening the scope of its third-dose campaign.
Starting Jan. 4, people age 55-59 will be eligible to book appointments for a booster.
Currently, health-care workers in the private sector, childcare and school staff, public security workers, food inspectors, slaughterhouse staff and people 60 and older can book their appointment for a third dose online.
The goal is to vaccinate between two and three million people every month, and have administered third doses to every eligible Quebecer who wants one by March.
Dubé said that Ottawa had indicated it may be able to provide around 300 Red Cross members to assist with vaccinations.
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