On Dec. 9, regional health authority CISSSO held a virtual press conference on the current state of COVID-19 and vaccination in the Outaouais.

Dr. Brigitte Pinard, interim director of public health, said that they had confirmed two cases of the new Omicron variant in the region, but both cases had been linked to travel. Pinard said that currently they haven’t detected any secondary cases.

She said that the region has seen an uptick in cases over the past week, which is likely due to an increase in community transmission as the cold weather has meant people spending more time indoors. She pointed out that the number of hospitalizations have remained stable, however.

Pinard urged the public to remain vigilant heading into the holidays, and for people to get tested and isolate themselves as soon as they start showing symptoms. She also strongly encouraged those eligible to get vaccinated prior to the holiday season.

“The quicker you get tested, the quicker we can trace contacts and have them self-isolate. This is a crucial way to limit community transmission right now,” she said.

The CISSS also gave an update on the vaccination rates of the 5-11 year-old age category, which became eligible in late November. According to data provided by media relations agent Marie-Pier Després, in MRC Pontiac 1,298 children in that age category have received a shot, which works out to a coverage level of roughly 26 per cent. This is below the regional average of 36 per cent.

Only 18.18 per cent of children in that age category (236 children) were vaccinated at school.