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Quebec prohibits all visits to hospitals and CHSLDs

Quebec prohibits all visits to hospitals and CHSLDs

14 March 2020 à 12:00 am

The Québec government prohibits all visits to hospitals, seniors’ centers and CHSLDs in order to avoid the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the province.

People aged 70 and over are asked not to leave their homes until further notice, unless there is an “absolutely necessary” outing, as Quebec Premier François Legault has indicated.

Legault said seniors are more likely to suffer serious consequences or death if they are infected with the new coronavirus. He recalled the death rate data in China, specifying that 8% of infected people, aged between 70 and 79 years, die from complications related to COVID-19. This statistic rises to 14.8% among those who are 80 and over.

The government has also adopted a decree declaring a state of health emergency in Quebec, giving more powers to the Minister of Health, Danielle McCann, in decision-making.

Premier Legault added these new measures to those announced earlier this week, to prevent COVID-19. He also recommends avoiding international travel and reminds his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, that it is “urgent” to reduce the number of travelers entering Canada.