UPDATED AT 6:06 p.m. on 05/18/2020

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the MRC d’Argenteuil reached 49 as of May 18, which was an increase from 47 confirmed cases on May 17, according to the CISSS des Laurentides regional health authority.

Throughout the larger Laurentides region on May 18, there were 2,320 confirmed cases of COVID-19.  On May 17, there had been 2,260 confirmed cases.  The Laurentides region includes the MRC d’Argenteuil, seven other MRC’s, and the city of Mirabel.

There were 155 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the Laurentides region on Sunday, and 26 of those patients were in intensive care.  As of May 18, there had been 89 COVID-19 deaths in the Laurentides region.

According to the CISSS des Laurentides, COVID-19 is present in all nine municipalities within the MRC d’Argenteuil.  There are less than five cases in each municipality except for Lachute, where there are 23 cases.

Testing encouraged

Testing in the Laurentides region has been expanded to include any person who is experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms.  Those include flu-like symptoms, cough, difficulty breathing, and loss of sense of smell without nasal congestion.  The CISSS des Laurentides is encouraging expanded testing as part of an effort to more precisely monitor transmission.  Director of Public Health Dr. Éric Goyer said that vigilance is crucial now that lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease in the region.

Anyone with symptoms should not hesitate to make an appointment to be tested for COVID-19.  The number to call is 1-877-644-4545.

Provincial COVID-19 statistics

On Monday, May 18, the Québec ministry of health reported that there were 43,627 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the province.  That was a 1.6 per cent increase from the 42,920 confirmed cases on May 17.

However, the Québec Institut national de santé publique (INSP) listed 12,045 COVID-19 cases as resolved on May 17.  That means approximately 27.6 cent of cases on May 18 were resolved and 31,582 cases remained active.

As of May 18, 1,771 COVID-19 patients in Québec were in hospital and 179 of those patients were in intensive care.

Across Québec, there had been 3,596 confirmed deaths due to COVID-19 as of May 18.  That was an increase from 3,562 COVID-19 deaths on May 17.