With 10,000 healthcare workers already off the job amid the sixth wave of pandemic infections, the McGill University Healthcare Centre (MUHC) resolved to prohibit all staff in-person meetings and gatherings. 

This Monday at noon, the medical centre’s President and Executive Officer, Dr. Pierre Gfeller, will update the MUHC’s standing via a special Covid-19 webinar. The precautions come as Quebec is amid a surge in infections caused by the highly contagious Omicron BA.2, a subvariant of COVID-19. 

Friday, a message to hospital staff from the Emergency Measures Coordination Centre announced, “Due to the recent increase in Covid-19 cases amongst healthcare workers, all in-person meetings and gatherings (birthdays, retirements, etc.) should be held virtually until further notice.”

According to the memo, essential educational activities which cannot take place virtually will be allowed but must strictly adhere to the MUHC coronavirus prevention guidelines.

The 6th Wave

Quebec’s institute of public health (INSPQ) announced last Wednesday that the province is now in its sixth wave of COVID infections. 

INSPQ epidemiologist, Dr. Gaston De Serres, told CBC that the most current wave began in mid-March. He added that infections are quickly becoming an issue in the healthcare system as more workers become ill and are forced to remain at home.

Dr. Don Vinh of the McGill University Health Centre echoes De Serres’s view; he told CTVNews there is “little doubt it’s underway.”

“Quebec has seen an increase in outbreaks in seniors and long-term care homes as well a 60 per cent increase in the number of health workers off the job with the virus, which are clear indicators that cases are on an upward curve,” he added.

A Quebec Health Institute (INESSS) report published last Wednesday supports doctors’ concerns regarding the spike in new cases. Based on the data collected between March 19 and 25, researchers discovered an increase of 18 per cent in recent hospitalizations.

Dr. Cécile Tremblay, a microbiologist and infectious diseases specialist at the CHUM hospital in Montreal, fears the province’s healthcare system could again become overwhelmed.  According to her, Omicron BA.2 variant is even more infectious than the previous one — up to 70 per cent more by some estimates.

What is Omicron BA.2

First detected in November, the Omicron variant already existed as three genetically distinct varieties. Each had its own set of individual mutations. The most common at the time was BA.1, which swiftly spread over the world. However, beginning in early 2022, BA.2 appeared in a more significant percentage of new infections.

BA.2’s rapid expansion is due to its unique mutations. It contains eight mutations not found in BA.1, and these mutations make BA.2 more transmissible.

Denmark scientists found that people infected with BA.2 were more likely to infect people they shared a house with than those with BA.1. And a study in England, researchers found it took less time on average for an individual with BA.2 to infect another person.