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.

translated by Alec Brideau

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

The 700th was built in front of the La Source school and the l’Étincelle building, on the 15th Avenue, in Fabreville, on Nov. 24.

It was one of the last speed bumps of a first phase of implementation, around 67 schools and 139 parks in the territory, launched in the fall of 2020.

“Laval wants to encourage drivers to adopt safer behaviour, reduce their speed and be more attentive to their environment,” said Ray Khalil, municipal councillor of Sainte-Dorothée, vice-president of the executive committee, and responsible for the files of public works.

Second Phase

A second implementation phase of speed bumps in residential streets is being developed, reports the Municipality.

Those actions are part of a series of “traffic calming measures” that have been deployed since 2017, to which are added, for example, road markings, pedestrian crossings, sidewalk overhangs, raised intersections, one-ways, as well as the installation of speed displays and fixed photo radars at some red lights.

As for speed bumps, they’re preferred when “the speed practiced at the 85th percentile exceeds by at least 10 km/h” the speed limit on a local residential collector street.

In addition to forcing drivers to slow down, those speed bumps have the advantage of reducing through traffic, i.e. the traffic created by drivers not living in the neighbourhood.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article 700 Speed Bumps Installed in Two Years est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

BCF’s governing body will recommend the adoption of the agreement in principle to its members.

That same agreement is spread over a period of six years. For now, the details of the agreement will remain confidential in order to allow BCF members to conclude agreements with their respective school service centre.

“It proposes significant investments, and promotes greater stability in the school transportation sector,” said Minister of Education Jean-François Roberge by press release. “It guarantees the safety of students, and meets many expectations school carriers had.”

Several school transport contracts had expired since June 30.

“The BCF is delighted that the measures put in place by the government are making it possible to ensure a safe return to school for the students we’re transporting daily,” said President and CEO of the BCF, Luc Lafrance. (N.P.)

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L’article Agreement in Principle for School Transport est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Police officers’ role in the school is to do prevention and raise awareness, with repression having no place in the targeted approach.

“Their presence responds to a need in terms of awareness, but mainly from an interrelational point of view,” said Andrée Primeau, principal of Saint-Maxime high school. “Police officers are involved with the students, establishing unique and privileged links.”

They’re discussing various topics with them, including cybercriminality, bullying, domestic violence and more.

Police officers are also trying to identify issues and concerns affecting school life.

In that sense, they’ll try to establish action or intervention plans that can help counter some of the problems.

“Mutual trust, active listening and dialogue are essential to maintain a real and lasting sense of security,” said Pierre Brochet, director of director of Laval’s police department. “It’s essential for us to strengthen the close relationship we have with the students.”

Those same police officers also inform students and school staff on topics related to the justice system and the enforcement of laws and regulations.

Positive Impacts

The goal of the project is to develop and consolidate interventions between police officers and students by increasing police’s presence in school environments.

“That pilot project is a perfect example of a collaborative and concerted initiative looking to fight against violence,” said Yves Michel Volcy, Executive Director of the Centre de services scolaire de Laval. “ will certainly have a positive impact on all students and staff.”

The implementation of that pilot project would allow any student living a difficult situation to be guided to a socio-community agent to get support.

Together, they’ll be able to find solutions, and the students will be oriented to the relevant resources.

Laval’s police department says the collaboration with the Centre de services scolaire will help students to act more effectively, and better equip themselves. (J.B.)

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L’article Collaboration Between Saint-Maxime School and Laval’s Police Department est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

However, this acquisition would still remain just a possibility for the CSS of Laval.

“Our requests to the ministry are numerous, and that’s why our CSS must consider many possibilities, including this one,” said Annie Goyette, Deputy Director of the General Secretariat and the Communications Department at the CSS of Laval.

The CSS also indicates that the process of acquiring a building can take several months, and includes many steps.

One of those steps is usually to recognize the need, and the funding approval by the Ministry of Education.

Optimistic Citizens

Residents of the area would be happy to have a school there.

“Quickly, without knowing all the possible consequences, that seems like a wonderful idea,” said Julie Rotondo on the Groupe d’échange projet site Loblaws Concorde on Facebook.

Others believe the area is an important element to consider.

“It depends on what it would like to do with it, but the CSS  needs space to build a school, mentions Alexandre Meilleur, another citizen who’s having this case at heart. Large lands are rare.”

He adds that access to Boulevard de la Concorde Est and via the residential area remain advantages for a school project.

For Patrick Lauzière, administrator of the Facebook group, this potential project is an interesting opportunity that could attract families to the area.

Unwanted Noise

Nevertheless, Lauzière is asking to pay special attention to the sound environment.

This would prevent residences near that project from being impacted by this aspect.

It’s also Sylvain Serre’s situation, whose house is terraced to the site of the former Loblaws.

Serre would rather see a school being built there than three-storey houses next to his yard. He thinks a noise barrier would be necessary.

For his part, another neighbour, Roland Martel, doesn’t want a school there. The two daycares near his home would cause enough disruption.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article The Centre de services scolaire Has its Eye on Duvernay’s Loblaws est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.