COVID-19 cases climbing in Sherbrooke

The Eastern Townships is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases with a majority coming from the city of Sherbrooke.
Updated data on the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS website shows 18 new cases in the Estrie region bringing the total to total 1,201. Sherbrooke accounts for 13 of them bringing the total in the city to 422. The number has been rising steadily over the last few days.
The CHUS also announced a small outbreak in Sherbrooke’s Ascot neighbourhood on Wednesday. They noted that 28 new cases broke out in the area between August 14 and 25. Following the announcement, the local health authority discovered six more cases in Ascot. The CHUS dispatched a mobile screening clinic to the neighbourhood on Thursday outside of the Précieux-Sang Church located on rue Thibeault.
The mobile clinic will also be available to residents on Friday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The CHUS is asking people in the area to get tested if they have been to a private gathering or used public transportation without respecting physical distancing rules.
The CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS confirmed an outbreak at the CHSLD Lambton. Two staff members have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. Lambton residents and staff were tested on Thursday. Visitors will not be allowed on the property.
They also provided an update on the situation at the CHSLD D’Youville in Sherbrooke, Saint-Michel training center and BRP in Valcourt. Everything is stable and according to the CHUS, there have been no new cases declared in the last few days.
The CHUS added that to be considered clear from an outbreak, there must be no new cases declared for 28 days after the last confirmed positive case in the community.
The Quebec government’s website indicates a surge in COVID-19 positive cases as of late. The latest numbers show 111 new cases in the province. They also recorded 3 new deaths, two hospitalizations and three people placed in intensive care.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé addressed the recent contamination issue at a lab in the Montreal area, saying the province might need to redo dozens of COVID-19 tests. He has also asked the lab for a report on what led to the contamination.
The province plans to keep the public daycare network open if there’s a second wave of COVID-19, Dubé continued. He said the measures in place at these facilities have worked and evidence continues to suggest the virus doesn’t spread easily among children.
However, a daycare will be closed if there is an outbreak in the building. Dubé added that closing daycares puts too much pressure on parents. He also announced a new self-assessment tool parents can use to determine if their child is sick.

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