Quebec COVID-19 Surge Prompts Mask Policy

Montreal General Hospital has reinstated mandatory mask policies on its 18th floor due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, with ongoing monitoring and protective measures in place. The province of Quebec has seen a steady increase in COVID-19 cases since April, with 756 patients currently hospitalized and a recent positivity rate of 14.7%. Experts attribute the surge to new virus mutations brought by travel. Additionally, gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea are increasingly recognized as COVID-19 indicators, often preceding respiratory symptoms. A UK study involving deliberate infection of volunteers has provided insights into why some individuals never contract COVID-19, identifying rapid immune responses in the nasal mucosa as a key factor. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighborhood has been named one of the best places to live in Canada by the RE/MAX 2024 Liveability Report.