Quebec Premier Francois Legault continued Thursday to call for the mobilization of all those with health expertise to come and support the staff and residents of residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs).
“With nine fewer hospitalizations in intensive care compared to Wednesday, the situation is under control in hospitals,” said Legault, adding that challenges remain in some CHSLDs and other living environments that accommodate seniors. “As of today, 55 of the 2,600 living environments are in a more delicate situation,” the premier said, adding that lack of personnel in CHSLDs remains the priority.
Following yesterday’s appeal by Legault, just over 2,000 doctors answered the call.
During his daily briefing the premier thanked them for their help and contribution.
“I know it’s not going to be easy to adjust everyone’s tasks. I know it’s not going to be perfect, that it’s going to take time to adjust as we go along, but we’re facing an exceptional situation. I’m asking everyone to put a little water in their wine. I am convinced that, with the goodwill of all Quebecers, we will be able to take care of our most vulnerable seniors,” Legault commented.
The premier also said that graduates in nursing and other health fields would be called upon to reinforce the network and volunteers would be deployed over the next few days.
Legault confirmed that the provincial government has officially asked the federal government to make the army medical team available to provide back-up in the most critical areas. All Canadian Forces members who are qualified will be asked to come and help in the CHSLDs.
Quebec now has 15,857 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of those, 751 are in the Estrie region. The death toll is now 630, an increase of 143 from what was reported the day before. Legault pointed out that the majority of the 143 new deaths announced did not occur in the last 24 hours. In the past few days, Public Health has made changes to its data entry system and completed epidemiological investigations into several deaths in the past few days, which explains the increase in the death toll. There are 1,018 COVID-19 hospitalizations, 209 of which are in intensive care. To date there are 2,841 confirmed recoveries in the province.
During the daily briefing, Legault took the opportunity to thank the people working in the shadows: the emergency telephone operators who receive 911 calls, as well as first responders, such as firefighters, police officers, ambulance attendants and paramedics. “All these people who look after us seven days a week, 24 hours a day, thank you very much for your work,” concluded Legault.
Efforts continue to support long-term care facilities
Record Staff
