Quebec to track COVID rapid test results; Sask. eyes lifting restrictions

Quebec announced Wednesday it is tracking COVID-19 rapid test results, as Saskatchewan said it will consider dropping restrictions as society learns to live with the virus.

Quebec is believed to be the first province or territory to start tracking rapid results.

The province’s health minister, Christian Dubé, said an online portal will help gauge community transmission because lab tests remain limited to high-risk groups, as it does in most jurisdictions across the country.

Dubé said it will also aid in preparing Quebecers for routine in this wave of the pandemic and beyond.

“We’re heading toward a world where we’ll have to live with the pandemic,” he said, “We’ll have to test ourselves regularly.”

The Omicron variant continues to fuel a fifth wave of COVID-19, but some provinces are relaxing public health rules or considering what remains necessary.

Saskatchewan’s top doctor said the province is considering a lift of COVID-19 safety measures despite near-record hospitalizations.

Dr. Saqib Shahab said there are ongoing conversations with the government about what public health orders remain necessary.

Premier Scott Moe told a local radio show that some restrictions have likely run their course, such as proof of vaccination requirements and restricted youth activities. He said the goal is to remove all measures when possible.

“I think we’re getting to a point where those that are not vaccinated are likely not going to get vaccinated,” Moe said about vaccine passports.

“We’re going to be living with COVID for some period of time now.”

Saskatchewan confirmed seven cases of a new COVID19 variant called BA.2. Shahab said the implications of the new mutation are unknown, but it doesn’t appear to be much of a concern at this time.

Medical experts consider BA.2 stealthier than Omicron because it is harder to detect, but little is currently known about it. The Public Health Agency of Canada said 51 cases have been detected so far, most from international travellers.

Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario plan to soften some of their COVID-19 restrictions next week, with in-person dining to resume in all provinces. Gyms and cinemas will also open their doors in Ontario come Monday, as well as fitness facilities and schools in P.E.I.

In New Brunswick, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said most emergency room patients could be treated outside hospitals. Beginning Monday, paramedics responding to 911 calls are to determine if patients should be taken to hospital or treated elsewhere.

Shephard said the move is to help alleviate strain on emergency rooms, where wait times are often hours long.

Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, said on social media that severe illness trends are still rising in most jurisdictions and hospitalization rates are increasing across all age groups.

“The average daily case count is down by 30 per cent compared to last week,” said Tam. “However, targeted testing policies and reduced number of tests performed continue to underestimate the number of true infections.”

She urged Canadians to get vaccinated and follow public safety measures, such as masking.

Some provinces are seeing less severe influxes in hospital admissions. Quebec reported a slight decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and intensive care admissions Wednesday, while Ontario had a slim increase in hospitalizations but a drop in ICU patients.