A total of 123 new cases of COVID-19 are added to the daily Quebec toll today. The number of people infected so far with the disease in the province is 59,722.
The number of hospitalized patients is still 172, the same number as the day before. One more person is treated in intensive care (total of 18).
Since only 1.5% to 3% of the population has been exposed to the virus so far, we must "especially not let our guard down," said Quebec's national director of public health, Dr. Horacio Arruda.
In addition, companies must continue to promote teleworking and hand washing, as Quebec prepares to face a second wave of COVID-19, says Dr. Arruda. All experts agree that a second wave of COVID-19 is more than likely.
Companies are now allowed to reinstate 25% of their workers in their offices. But Dr Arruda says it is "a maximum not to be exceeded and not a goal to be reached." He pleads for companies to continue to encourage teleworking. “You can't give up telecommuting, especially if it works,” he says.
Dr Arruda urges companies to adopt different strategies, like rotating schedules, to avoid outbreaks.
Dr. Arruda also asks companies to continue to promote hand washing, even if the wearing of a mask is now mandatory in public indoor spaces. “Since we introduced the mask, I have seen a lot less hand cleaning areas than before,” said Dr. Arruda.