He mentioned that the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which mainly affects young children, had already peaked a few days ago, and that its circulation is decreasing. The effect of that slowdown should be reflected in pediatric care units in the coming weeks. On the other side, the influenza’s peak has still not arrived.

“It’s a virus in strong progression,” Boileau said. “All indicators of the flu season started much faster than usual. There’s high activity, and it’s on its way to even higher.”

He added that December is likely to be tough on that side, and he expects a peak by the end of 2022.

It’s a similar case for the COVID-19 situation, which is gaining momentum again in Quebec. That is largely due to the increased presence of the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 variants, which have become the dominant strains in the province.

No Measure for Now

Despite the difficult month that awaits Quebecers, Boileau confirmed he will not issue new recommendations for health measures.

He still invites all citizens to get a dose of vaccine against the various viruses, including the influenza, which was made available free of charge to the entire population a little over a week ago.

That’s particularly recommended for people aged 60 and over, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and parents of children under six months.

Among the other possible actions, Boileau noted the fact of staying at home when flu symptoms are appearing, wearing a mask in busy environments, and limiting the exposure of young children by reducing outings and visits.

As for the mask in schools, he doesn’t believe it’s necessary to force everyone to wear it. However, he recommends it for all those wishing to do so, as well as students and staff members with symptoms, such as a sore throat or cough.

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L’article Influenza and COVID-19: Possible Peak in December est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

“Quebecers agree that Legault’s government must focus on the real problems of the province’s health system,” said CDVQ spokesperson Valérie Gallant. “The irony is that if provincial regulators accepted vaping as a tool, there would be public health benefits. We visited cities and towns in Ontario and Quebec to educate, empower and engage. The results are unanimous: let’s save our flavours.”

In a new survey by the CDVQ and Rights4Vapers, when asked to prioritize 10 different issues affecting the province’s healthcare system, one in three Quebec residents (33 per cent) ranked access to health services as their highest priority, compared to one per cent who ranked nicotine use by minors as their highest priority. One in three (34 per cent) ranked underage nicotine use as the lowest priority.

“Flavours are essential for adult smokers,” Gallant said. “It’s dissociating vaping from smoking. We want everyone to understand that flavours are fundamental to making vaping an effective tobacco harm reduction tool.”

Despite constant threats of flavour bans, nicotine restrictions and tax increases, as well as a persistent misinformation campaign, Canadian adults who are smoking aren’t getting discouraged in their fight to keep vaping products available, accessible and affordable from coast to coast.

“Our survey revealed that Quebecers consider vaping to be a significantly less harmful alternative to smoking,” said Maria Papaioannoy, spokesperson for Rights4Vapers, one of Canada’s vaping rights organizations. “The problem’s that we have governments, and other publicly funded organizations, that continue to put obstacles in the way, and spread inaccurate information about the harm reduction capacity of vaping.”

Opinions and attitudes of Quebecers toward vaping are supported by recent academic and scientific studies, which show that vaping is a less harmful alternative than smoking.

Public health authorities around the world have made it clear that vaping can be an effective tool in helping smokers quit. However, that’s if the right regulatory and societal frameworks are in place.

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L’article A Survey in Favour of Vaping est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

In particular, it invites the public to wear a mask in all busy places, except for schools.

She also reiterates the importance of handwashing, which “will protect against viruses such as influenza”, we can read in a press release.

Public Health completes its recommendations by asking that anyone who shows symptoms of respiratory infection stay home until the fever stops, and wear a mask in the presence of symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, or nasal congestion.

“Many efforts are being made to reduce the current pressure in emergencies, but the increased transmission of many viruses is complicating the situation,” said Minister of Health Christian Dubé. “We need everyone’s collaboration to limit the risk of spread, and it begins with monitoring its symptoms, and showing solidarity with people most vulnerable to various respiratory diseases, as well as with our health care workers.”

It’s also recommended to better protect children under three months of age, by avoiding bringing together too many people at the same time in hospital rooms, or in homes where they are, so they’re not exposed to the circulating viruses. (N.P.)

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L’article Public Health Recommends Wearing a Mask est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Those 120 workers are ensuring the proper functioning of ambulance services of the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC), in particular the maintenance of the ambulance fleet and the medical equipment on board the vehicles.

Their last salary increase dates back more than two years, as their collective agreement expired on March 31, 2020.

“After more than two years of negotiations, no one will tell us we’re not patient,” said via press release the president of the Syndicat du personnel de soutien d’Urgences-santé (CSN), Marc Dulude. “The employer says he has no other financial leeway to offer us except impoverishment. Yet, he finds a way to hire subcontractors at very high prices to do part of our work, instead of investing in working conditions to fill positions internally. We’re tired of this lack of respect.”

“The pre-hospital sector is a chain with many links, and they’re all important,” added in the press release the president of the CSN, Caroline Senneville. “Support staff is the perfect example. After each shift, they must prepare each ambulance for the next team of paramedics. If there’s a delay there, it affects the entire chain, and it ends up having an impact on the response time of paramedics with a citizen who needs help, and on the quality of services to the population. That’s why it’s so important to adequately recognize their work.

The Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS–CSN) represents 3,600 workers in the pre-hospital sector throughout Quebec. (B.L.)

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L’article Strike week for Urgences-santé’s support staff est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.