It’s been one year to the day since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Quebec. On that day, Feb. 27, 2020, Quebec’s public health director made an appeal for calm.
“Fear is a very bad epidemic,” said Dr. Horacio Arruda.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: looking back on how Quebec responded to COVID-19 in 2020
However, less than a month later, Premier François Legault declared a total lockdown of the province. With schools closed already, the province shuttered non-essential businesses, asking those who could, to work from home.
Over the next months, Quebecers watched the caseloads rise exponentially. Thousands of people lost their lives, most of them in long-term care homes. The premier called it a national tragedy and personally apologized.
“The message I have is I’m sorry,” Legault said.
READ MORE: Quebec coroner postpones inquiry into COVID-19 related deaths at Herron residence until September
Things began to re-open in May, but the reprieve was short-lived. Masks became mandatory in indoor spaces on July 18.
Then just before the Labour Day long weekend, a karaoke bar in Quebec City was the site of a “super-spreader” event. Dozens of people were infected and at least one death was linked to the bar.
At this time, public health officials began warning against all kinds of gatherings, which they said were leading to more and more community transmission.
READ MORE: Quebec asks citizens to stop social gatherings for 28 days to ‘break’ second coronavirus wave
Avoiding a second wave seemed unlikely. The government once again closed bars, restaurants and gyms in October. Quebecers were told not to get together for Thanksgiving.
“I prefer cancelling a lot of those in the next couple of weeks, to make sure we have a nice Christmas,” said Health Minister Christian Dubé.
But that was not to be either.
Gatherings in red zones won’t be allowed for Christmas,” Legault said.
The government forced the closure of non-essential businesses again as of Dec. 25.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Quebec movie theatres can re-open, but not sell food and drink
There was some hope — a vaccine was on the horizon, but a shortage of doses led to a slow rollout.
Quebec brought in a curfew, which it has kept in place though stores have re-opened.
- Solar eclipse eye damage: More than 160 cases reported in Ontario, Quebec
- 3 women diagnosed with HIV after ‘vampire facials’ at unlicensed U.S. spa
- ‘Super lice’ are becoming more resistant to chemical shampoos. What to use instead
- Canadian man dies during Texas Ironman event. His widow wants answers as to why
In January 2021, Quebec hit records of more than 3,000 new cases a day. On Feb. 7, it surpassed 10,000 deaths, more than any other province in Canada.
Could Quebec have done more to fight a second wave?
Opposition parties criticize the government for taking too long to acknowledge the risk of aerosol transmission and for recommending against the use of air purifiers in schools. The opposition called Quebec’s refusal to use rapid tests provided by Ottawa illogical.
READ MORE: More than 70,000 Quebecers registered for coronavirus vaccines on first day, health minister says
Finally, in late February, there was a bit of good news — the province unveiled its mass vaccination plan, beginning with people 85 and older.
“Vaccines are our best hope to win this battle,” said Legault.
Comments