LOCAL NEWS - AUGUST 26, 2021: NORTH SHORE – CISSS PRESS BRIEF COVERAGE
A press briefing was held this morning by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Côte-Nord (CISSS de la Côte-Nord) regarding the COVID-19 situation on the North Shore. The press briefing by Zoom, was led by Ms. Manon Asselin, President and CEO of the CISSS de la Côte-Nord, and Dr. Richard Fachehoun, director of public health.
The epidemiological situation on the North Shore is stable, with five cases in the last 10 days. However, the province is going through a fourth wave with increasing numbers of cases and hospitalizations, and an increasing prevalence of the Delta variant, which is more contagious. People who are not adequately vaccinated are more affected by the Delta variant, stresses the CISSS de la Côte-Nord.
Unvaccinated North Shore residents are five times more likely to be infected than their adequately protected neighbors. Also, these unvaccinated residents are 29 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who are adequately protected. At this time, almost 84% of eligible residents have received a first dose of the vaccine against the virus, and 76.5% are fully vaccinated. The CISSS de la Côte-Nord estimates that a 90% vaccination rate is needed in order to achieve a group protection against the Delta variant.
The CISSS de la Côte-Nord cannot stress enough the importance of all residents aged 12 years and over to get their two doses of the vaccine as soon aspossible. The other important element for residents is to protect the health network. Several service reductions were experienced this summer because of the staff shortage. Any more pressure on the health network may have major consequences. This could happen if the number of hospitalizations in the region increases.
The CISSS de la Côte-Nord thanks the population for your collaboration and solidarity.
Abbygail Wellman
CFBS Journalist
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