By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
Mandatory mask-wearing is back until further notice in hospitals, long-term care centres and rehabilitation centres in the Estrie region as flu cases surge.
Masks are obligatory for staff and visitors in general and specialized hospital centers including emergency rooms, oncology, hemodialysis and mental health hospitalization units;
rehabilitation units; and in long-term care and residential centres (CHSLDs), seniors’ homes and alternative homes.
The CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS said in a statement on Feb. 13 that long-term care centres in the greater Sherbrooke area are most affected, but the situation was worrisome enough to reinstate mask-wearing in health facilities elsewhere in the region.
Masks are not required in outpatient centres, offices or common areas such as hospital cafeterias, nor are they required in CLSCs or other facilities.
On Feb. 14, public health director Dr. Luc Boileau and Santé Québec deputy vice president Robin Marie Coleman briefed reporters on the evolution of the spread of respiratory viruses around the province.
“The good news is that COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus [test positivity rates] are continuing to drop. The bad news is that the influenza A curve is still rising,” Boileau said. “A few weeks ago, we said the peak would arrive around the first or second week of February. We are in the second week of February, so the data we have over the next week will allow us to determine whether it’s continuing to rise or if it’s stagnating or falling off.”
Boileau said this flu season is the worst since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and one of the worst in the last ten years. He said the Estrie and greater Montreal regions were the most affected, with positivity rates above 40 per cent, although there was no immediately obvious epidemiological reason why this was the case.
Boileau said elderly people and young children face the highest risk of serious complications from the flu. He encouraged the general population, especially health care workers, future parents and people with chronic illnesses, to take advantage of free flu vaccination, available at most local pharmacies via ClicSanté. “It’s not too late!”
He noted that elderly and at-risk people can get a flu or COVID test at their local pharmacy and receive medication to stave off complications.
He advised people with the flu to isolate at home unless absolutely necessary. “If you must leave home, to go to work or what have you, wear a mask while you have symptoms. You can be contagious seven or eight days after the beginning of symptoms. It’s not measles, but it’s still a very contagious virus. Be careful, wash your hands, cough in your elbow and take all of the other measures you’ve been hearing about.” He also suggested that people who are members of vulnerable groups wear masks in crowded environments, although the health ministry has no plans to impose additional mask requirements.