First case of COVID-19 in the Outaouais: the CISSS de l’Outaouais reacts
First case of COVID-19 in the Outaouais: the CISSS de l’Outaouais reacts
A first case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the Outaouais region.
The infectious disease consultant to the Outaouais Public Health Department, Dr. Carol McConnery, gave some details on the case and the steps taken by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) of the Outaouais.
Member for Pontiac, and official Opposition Group Critic for Health and Social Services, André Fortin, reacted to the announcement of this first case of COVID-19, by insisting on the solidity which the health services must demonstrate to manage that situation.
The Warden of the MRC Pontiac, Jane Toller, met today with the committee on which she sits with the five other Wardens and general directors of the region to discuss the situation.
Although little details have been revealed so far on the person who contracted the virus, the communications service of the CISSS de l’Outaouais indicated that the infected person had traveled. CEO Josée Filion said that, for the moment, the confidentiality of the other details concerning this first case must be preserved.
The person went to one of the region’s facilities for testing and took all the necessary precautions, according to the CISSS de l’Outaouais. The person is in solitary confinement at home and the health service says that the person is monitoring its health conditions “very closely”.
The public health department has launched an investigation to establish the contacts this person has had since its return in the region. All those who have been in contact with the infected person will be telephoned by the team put in place by the CISSSO.
The CISSS de l’Outaouais also wanted to reassure the population, despite this first case reported in the region. This is the first positive case out of 281 test results carried out since the start of screening, i.e. on March 6th, 2020 in the Outaouais. The CISSSO also highlighted the work of health care workers, who are “on the front lines” and who work with “worried and vulnerable” people.
It was finally recalled that each of the citizens has its own responsibility in the fight against COVID-19. Government guidelines and basic hygiene rules must be followed to limit the spread of the virus.
To learn more about the coronavirus, the public is invited to consult: quebec.ca/coronavirus
People with concerns related to COVID-19 can contact Services Québec at the following information line: 1-877-644-4545.
