Châteauguay, April 26, 2020 — The CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest wishes to keep the public informed of the main highlights of the week regarding the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Status update: CHSLDs and private residences
As of today, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any of our 11 long-term care centres. Containment zones have been set up in our CHSLDs; as soon as a resident shows signs and symptoms, they are moved to a “warm zone” until the test results come back. This measure ensures that residents receive adequate care from fully protected, trained and dedicated staff, while keeping the other residents safe. While the situation remains tenuous, it is currently under control, which is why we are being extremely vigilant.
Following outbreaks at several residential facilities in Québec, inspections were conducted at private seniors’ residences throughout the territory to ensure they were properly set up and equipped to meet the residents’ needs. The CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest also provides support to these facilities by sharing its expertise, supplying personal protective equipment, and sending reinforcements, as needed.
You can visit the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and INSPQ websites to monitor developments in residential facilities in real time.
Psychosocial services available
The psychosocial support teams at the CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest are working hard to support the population in need of mental health and addiction services. Anyone suffering from anxiety or depression, or who just needs to talk is encouraged to visit our website for the contact information of their local CLSC. Consultations are done by telephone.
During the pandemic, two “Psys mobile” teams are also travelling throughout the Châteauguay and Suroît regions to provide psychosocial support to the residents of Montérégie-Ouest. Led by specialized mental health directors and psychiatrists, the “Psys mobile” are on the road seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. to respond quickly to at-risk cases, in order to keep them out of the Emergency department or limit their time spent in hospital during the pandemic.
Through a close partnership with local Emergency triage nurses, mental health liaison nurses, community organizations, and crisis centres, the two teams are able to quickly and easily assist individuals in vulnerable situations.
In addition, temporary housing is now available for people suffering from a mental health problem. Spaces will also open up soon for victims of domestic violence in the Montérégie-Ouest region. Temporary respite beds are also planned for the homeless or other people in need.
Blood draws
Since March 31, blood draws are now available by appointment, which must be made on the clicsante.ca website for all specimen centres, except for the CLSCs in Huntingdon, Saint-Chrysostome, Saint-Polycarpe and Rigaud.
People age 70 and over who require a blood draw for their medical condition (anticoagulation therapy, oncology, severe anemia, etc.) are encouraged to call their CLSC for home care services.
A big thank you to support staff
The CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest would like to thank the institution’s support staff. While these people often work in the shadows, they are essential to keeping everything on track. Thank you to our administrative agents and technicians, medical and legal secretaries, procurement officers, buyers and storekeepers, information technicians and agents, and attorneys for their hard work. Many of them have been asked to step out of their comfort zones over the past six weeks to work on special projects, and they’ve all stepped up admirably. Thank you!
Status update: number of cases per regional county municipality
To view the number of cases per municipality, visit the Direction de Santé publique de la Montérégie’s interactive website.
Note: For confidentiality reasons, the number of cases per municipality is disclosed for certain municipalities only.
Sources of information updated daily
Follow the CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest website at santemonteregie.qc.ca/ouest or our social media accounts for the latest news and information about COVID-19 (Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram).