by: marie-pascale pomey and david juncker
against all odds, the third covid-19 wave has remained under control in quebec, despite the threat posed by more contagious variants. the excellent work of public health teams and the public’s adherence to sanitary measures have led to improving epidemiological indicators and reduced hospitalizations, week after week.
along with quebecers’ excellent uptake of vaccination, these factors allow us to envision a relaxation of confinement in quebec in the near future. according to modelling by the public health agency of canada, when 75 per cent of the population has received a first dose, and 20 per cent two doses, of vaccine, easing the social-distancing measures will be possible without a significant impact on the health-care system. quebec is approaching those targets, with close to 50 per cent of the population having received a first jab, and almost five per cent, two.
international examples also inspire hope. england reopened its cafés, pubs and restaurants after 50 per cent of its population received a first vaccine. but england added an essential protective tool to its toolbox: rapid antigen tests.
rapid antigen tests are not meant to serve as the diagnosis of the disease, but they are highly reliable in detecting infectious individuals and in particular, superspreaders (those with a very high viral load), in their contagious phase, and can stop them from entering closed spaces. these tests complement the pcr tests currently used, as they allow the implementation of a screening and prevention strategy essential to public health, and at the same time empower and actively involve the community in suppressing disease propagation. they are particularly effective when used on a regular basis, allowing the identification of people when they are contagious. in england, free rapid antigen tests are distributed, with a request that people self-test twice a week. in this way, in addition to an increasing rate of vaccination, the english are each taking responsibility for themselves by self-testing, and the government increases the chances of a safe reopening without outbreaks.