COVID situation ‘under control’ despite hike in cases: Guilbault
Despite a recent increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the province, Quebec says the coronavirus outbreak here is under control.
For the past week, Quebec has reported more than 100 new cases of COVID-19 each day, up from fewer than 100 per day in late June and early July.
On Monday, there were 150 new confirmed cases in Quebec, bringing the total number of people with COVID -19 in the province to 57,616. One new death was reported Monday.
Deputy premier Geneviève Guilbault said the increase in reported cases in recent days is due to a significant jump in the number of Quebecers being tested for the virus. The number of tests was above 14,000 on several days last week and on one day surpassed 15,000, she noted. Until recently, fewer than 10,000 were being tested daily.
The proportion of people testing positive has remained stable at or below two per cent.
“The situation is stable and under control,” Guilbault told a press conference in Quebec City.
The government also revealed how many new cases are connected to bars. There were fears that drinking establishments had become major sources of outbreaks.
But Guilbault said the spread of the virus in bars is “very limited,” adding there were outbreaks in only three of Montreal’s 924 bars. One bar outside Montreal was also a source of contagion.
The Montreal bars are Minéral on Atateken St., Nacho Libre on Beaubien St. E. and Bar Rénard on Ste-catherine St. E. The fourth bar is the Mile Public House in the DIX-30 shopping complex in Brossard.
Richard Massé, a senior official in Quebec’s public health department, said people have been contracting COVID-19 in the healthcare network, at workplaces, at private gatherings and at bars and restaurants.
Guilbault said government inspectors have found the majority of establishments are enforcing public-health rules such as wearing masks indoors, having clients remain seated and closing at 1 a.m.
But, she added, the government and public-health departments are closely monitoring the bar situation. If bar owners aren’t enforcing the rules as strictly, or if people aren’t wearing masks, they could be closed.
Guilbault said parties in homes are a bigger problem. She reminded Quebecers that a maximum of 10 people are allowed at such gatherings, whether they are held indoors or outside.
Bar Minéral confirmed in an announcement posted on their Facebook page on July 13 that public health authorities had advised them clients who had been in their establishment had tested positive.
“For more than a week we had made the wearing of masks mandatory as you moved throughout the building,” wrote the management of the bar, located in the Gay Village.
“It goes without saying that following this announcement we will reinforce this process. It’s for your health, and also for that of our employees.
Employees were tested, and the bar reopened on July 15.
Nacho Libre, a Mexican restaurant and bar in the Petite-patrie neighbourhood, announced on July 10 that one of its employees had tested positive.
He had no symptoms and was working the nights of July 3 and July 5, owners wrote on their Facebook page. They closed the establishment in order to disinfect it and allow all employees to be tested.
They reopened three days ago, after all employees tested negative. They reminded clients that wearing masks when moving through the restaurant is mandatory, and that dancing “is only allowed in your heart.”
“Let’s show the skeptics that we are capable of having fun, all the while respecting the hygiene rules recommended by public health, and, please, stay at home if you’re showing signs of this damn virus.”
Bar Rénard on Ste-catherine St. announced it was closing its doors temporarily on July 13 and all employees were being tested. They reopened last Friday evening.
The province is also concerned about a possible increase in cases linked to camping. The deputy premier said inspections will be done to ensure that campgrounds and campers follow public health guidelines.
Quebecers are largely following the new mandatory-mask order that came into effect Saturday, Guilbault said.
“Beyond a few isolated cases, Quebecers have massively adhered to the wearing of masks,” Guilbault said. “It bodes well for the future.”