Saguenay's health system nearing 'point of no return' if COVID-19 numbers worsen

Quebec's most blistering COVID-19 hotspot logged a new daily record for infections Thursday and while public health authorities say the situation is under control and may even be starting to improve, the SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean's health network can't take much more.

The region reported 241 new positive tests on Thursday, and is now grappling with 1,107 active cases. It's quickly running out of hospital beds in Chicoutimi, the main COVID-19 intake centre, and running near capacity for intensive care.

According to Dr. Hugo Villeneuve, an oncologist who doubles as vice-president of the regional council representing doctors, dentists and pharmacists, the situation remains manageable but he said "a point of no return could be reached if the situation deteriorates any further."

The problems associated with a worsening case load are being exacerbated by a deepening lack of resources. Hundreds of medical personnel have been sidelined with COVID-19or are in isolation pending test results.

Villeneuve joined the president of the region's health authority, Julie Labb, and the public health director, Dr. Donald Aubinat a sombre news conference to emphasizethe importance of following health guidelines.

"Everyone must follow the rules strictly and with rigour," Aubin said.

Aubinaddedhe's not pointing fingers, but private gatherings are still taking place despite stepped-up enforcement measures since the region was designateda 'red zone' just over two weeks ago.

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Encouraging signs in the data

He also indicated that the overall picture may not be quite as alarming as it may first appear.

Despite the one-day spike in cases, Aubin said the region's true case rate is probably closer to an average of 150 per day. He added there are some indications in the data that a plateau has been reached.

Aubin's hope is that between now and the Christmas holidays the region will settle into a level that "might not be zero, but will be a lot more comfortable, let's put it that way."

But that's stillfive weeks away, which doubtless feels like an eternity to overburdened health-care workers.

According the head of the local nurses' union, the situation is "extremely critical"and the region is badly in need of reinforcements.

'A sense of being abandoned'

Julie Bouchard, president of the Syndicat des professionnellesensoinsdu SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean, said the 3,200 nurses, licensed practical nurses and respiratory therapists her union represents are exhausted. And many of them are sick, 156 fromChicoutimi's hospital and 70 in Alma at last count.

Like health-care workers elsewhere, Bouchard's membership is working mandatory overtime shifts. Most have been put on full-time schedules and there is talk of moving staff between facilities and extending regular shift lengths from eight to 12 hours.

"We ask ourselves every day how we're going to get through it," Bouchardsaid. "We expected to be heavily relied upon for the second wave, but the feeling we have now islike a sense of beingabandoned."

Bouchardreported"anger, distress, sadness on the floor" and suggestedfatigue is a factor in the growing number of infections among staff.

Labb acknowledged the demands on health workers and expressed the health region's gratitude. She also confirmed some help has arrived and moreis on the way.

Contact tracers fromQuebec Cityand the North Shore regionhave been helping track down clusters.

About 60Red Cross personnel are slated to arrive next week to share the load in seniors' homes and long-term care facilities.

Local staff are also being reassigned from medical clinics and other community resources to help in the parts of the system that need them most.

As to whether relief is coming from other regions, Labbsaid the issue has been raised with the provincial Health Ministry.

"The discussions are ongoing," she said.