Quebecers must avoid social gatherings to stem second coronavirus wave, health minister warns

Quebecers should avoid all social gatherings in the coming days as the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to rise, the province’s health minister said Thursday.

Christian Dubé warned citizens in all regions need to be cautious in order to stem the tide of the novel coronavirus as the second wave begins. People should limit their outings only to what is necessary, such as school and work.

“If we continue as we are, we will hit a wall,” he said during a press conference in the national assembly.

The plea comes as 582 new cases and a total of 291 outbreaks were reported Thursday in the province. Hospitalizations have also been on the rise in the past week.

Authorities say community transmission is driving up those numbers — and could put Quebec in a tough position if the upward trend doesn’t stop.

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While social gatherings are still permitted, Dubé said it is important to avoid dinners, parties, weddings and other events right now to curb the transmission of the respiratory illness.

This includes cancelling Thanksgiving plans with people outside the household, he added. There is still a chance at Christmas, however.

“We can break this wave but we need your support to make this additional sacrifice regardless of the colour of the zone you are in right now,” Dubé said.

Five regions, including Montreal and Laval, remain in the orange zone of the province’s colour-coded alert level system. Tighter controls are underway in those areas to stop the spread of the virus, including reduced bar hours.

On Thursday, the province boosted the alert level for the territory of Avignon, in Gaspésie, to yellow.

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The government has not placed any regions in the red zone, the highest level which calls for greater intervention, but Dubé and Dr. Horacio Arruda, director of Quebec public health, say they are concerned about what lies ahead.

“We do not want to know another lockdown,” he said, calling that scenario “the worst thing” that could happen in the province this fall.

Quebec remains the province hardest hit by the health crisis. The pandemic has led to 5,810 deaths and more than 69,000 cases to date.

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— With files from the Canadian Press