Assessment of COVID-19 in Quebec | The “triple epidemic” is still being felt in Quebec

The “triple epidemic” is still being felt in Quebec. The peak of influenza A cases may have been passed, the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continues to decline, but COVID-19 cases continue to increase.

First, some good news: after two months of rising, the positivity rate for influenza A has fallen for the first time, according to the most recent data from the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec. The flu virus nevertheless remains strongly present, no less than 25.1% of screening tests carried out over the past week having proved positive. This is still lower than the rate of 26.8% the previous week. It also remains to be seen if the downward trend will continue.

Another positive element, the spread of RSV, which mainly affects children, continues to decline. The virus was detected in 6.3% of screening tests carried out over the past week. This is down sharply from the peak of 20.1% reached at the beginning of November.

On the other hand, COVID-19 continues to progress. Over the past week, 10.9% of screening tests have been positive.

In fact, the province’s most recent COVID-19 report on Monday shows that cases continue to rise. The 748 new cases by PCR tests reported on Monday bring the daily average to 1096. The trend is thus up 20% over one week. These numbers likely reflect only a portion of total infections due to limited access to PCR testing.

In addition to the cases detected by PCR tests, 599 people also reported over the weekend having tested positive on a rapid test. Self-reported cases, which are not included in daily reported cases, increased by 21% over one week.

The 21 deaths reported during the weekend, including a Monday, bring the daily average calculated over seven days to 10. The trend is up 12% over one week.