Follow this post throughout the day for up-to-the-minute news on the COVID-19 situation in Quebec.
Author of the article:
Linda Gyulai • Montreal Gazette
Publishing date:
Aug 18, 2020 • • 3 minute read
Article content
This post is being updated throughout the day on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Questions/comments: lgyulai@postmedia.com
Top updates
- Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé to outline preparations in case of second wave
- Quebec to activate plan to fight potential second wave by Sept. 30; includes hiring of 1,000 public health workers
- Two deaths and 46 new cases in the past 24 hours
- Poll finds one in five Canadians making little or no effort to stop the spread of virus
- Young adults now the major drivers of COVID-19 spread, W.H.O. says
- 160,000 infections among prisoners, guards in U.S. jails
1: 50 p.m.
The New York Times is reporting that more than 1,000 people have died from the novel coronavirus in state and federal prisons, local jails and immigration detention centres across the United States. The newspaper, which has a database tracking COVID-19 cases in correctional institutions, reports there have been nearly 160,000 infections among prisoners and guards.
More than 1,000 people have died from the coronavirus in state and federal prisons, local jails and immigration detention centers in the U.S., according to our database. There have been nearly 160,000 infections among prisoners and guards. https://t.co/4eG3bR6juz pic.twitter.com/sxiei7VEGr
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 18, 2020
12: 35 p.m.
W.H.O. says adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s now the major spreaders of COVID-19
The World Health Organization says it’s concerned the spread of the novel coronavirus is now being driven by people in their 20s, 30s and 40s, many of whom are unaware they’re infected. The W.H.O. reports a rise in the proportion of younger people who are infected around the globe. The group is putting vulnerable people at risk, it says, including seniors and people with illnesses in densely populated areas with weak health services.
Read the full story here.
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12: 00 p.m.
Who’s a “cynical spreader” of virus?
One in five Canadians are making little to no effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba harbouring the highest percentages of the so-called “cynical spreaders,” according to a new poll by Angus Reid Institute.
The poll suggests that three camps of people exist when it comes to complying with COVID-19 prevention measures: the “infection fighters” who follow public health measures closely; the “inconsistent”; and the “cynical spreaders” who have expanded their social circles, don’t follow physical distancing guidelines and are ambivalent towards hand-washing and mask-wearing.
The poll finds that three out of 10 residents in each of the three western provinces fall into the last group.
Click here to read the full story.
11: 30 a.m.
Two deaths and 46 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours
Santé Québec is reporting 46 new infections in the last 24 hours, which is the fewest since March 22.
The death toll has risen by six to 5,727. Two of those deaths occurred in the past 24 hours while another two occurred between Aug. 11 and 16. One other newly reported death occurred before Aug. 11. The date for the sixth death reported today is unknown.
11: 15 a.m.
Quebec to prohibit workers from moving between CHSLDs
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé presented his government’s plan to fight a potential second wave of COVID-19.
Highlights include prohibiting orderlies in long-term care establishments, or CHSLDs, to work in more than one centre at a time, to prevent the accidental spread of the novel coronavirus.
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Among the measures: an injection of $106 million for public health authorities to hire 1,000 more people to work on contact tracing.
More than two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths in the province this spring occurred in CHSLDs. Dubé says each centre will be getting a director appointed to manage the institution and be accountable for what goes on there.
The government’s plan is to be activated by Sept. 30, Dubé says.
Read our coverage of the announcement here.
8: 30 a.m.
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