Sherbrooke neighbourhood struck with COVID-19 outbreak

The CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS is sending a mobile screening clinic to the Ascot neighbourhood in Sherbrooke on Thursday and Friday after 28 people living in the area tested positive for COVID-19 between August 14 and 25.
The mobile screening clinic is located at the Precieux-Sang Church on rue Thibault. Residents can walk in without making an appointment. It will be open on August 27 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as August 28 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The local health authority is encouraging Ascot residents to get tested if they have attended a private gathering, spent time at a park or travelled using a bus, shuttle or carpool without respecting physical distancing rules.
If someone suspects exposure to COVID-19 or are experiencing any of the symptoms –fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, severe fatigue, to name a few – head to the mobile clinic for testing, the CHUS added in a press release.
Sherbrooke city officials are collaborating directly with the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS in order to properly inform the population of the affected area. Also, starting tomorrow a group will be raising awareness and reminding people of health measures.
“We are making resources available to the public health department to support the actions that will be required. The health and safety of the population remain our priority,” Sherbrooke Mayor Steve Lussier said.
The CHUS will release the contact information for the mobile clinic as soon as all of the details are ironed out. Screening is also available at 500 Murray Street from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day of the week and on weekends.
The Record spoke to Sharon Priest, the Eastern Township School Board communications consultant, about whether the outbreak will impact the return to school next week. She said there’s nothing new on that front, unless the local health authority says otherwise.
“If it were to have any effect on our schools they would get in touch with us, but at this time, no, it has no impact on our schools,” Priest concluded.
The CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS is also launching a special recruitment campaign to support the services offered to the population in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the campaign announcement, the goal is to find people that can work at screening test clinics. Nurses, midwives, dentists, dietitians, and paramedics are just a few of the medical professionals authorized to conduct a COVID-19 test.
The full list of qualified applicants can be found on the CHUS website. The campaign is seeking both full-time and part-time employees in the care, support or professional services sectors.
Recruits could be posted at the designated screening center (CDD), designated assessment center (CDÉ), call center for results, containment center, and mobile screening. If you want to apply, visit santeestrie.qc.ca/emplois-covid-19.

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