Respiratory disease

COVID-19: Interim Recommendations on Preventive Workplace Measures for Pregnant and Nursing Workers

The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) has mandated the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) to establish a working group to develop interim recommendations for workplaces and in the context of the application of preventive withdrawal and reassignment of pregnant or breastfeeding workers.

The working group brings together physicians and professionals at the INSPQ with varying backgrounds in public health, occupational health and infectious diseases…

Interim recommendations

Alcohol consumption during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Québec and Canada

The data contained in this fact sheet have been derived from six probability surveys conducted from March 29, 2020 to April 28, 2021 throughout Canada (including Québec) and one survey carried out exclusively in Québec.

Knowledge review

Administration of COVID-19 booster doses: Recommendations for winter and spring 2023

At the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, results from clinical studies showed that two doses of vaccine provided excellent protection against disease and hospitalization due to COVID-19. However, the large epidemic wave caused by the arrival of the Omicron variant in late 2021 led to a broad recommendation to administer a booster dose to all adults. This outbreak highlighted the reduced performance of the vaccines in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, while demonstrating that…

Interim scientific guidance

Promoting Mental Health in a Post-Pandemic Context: Factors to Target and Actions to Prioritize at the Municipal and Community Levels

The INSPQ was mandated by the Direction générale de la santé publique of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux to produce a knowledge synthesis of the scientific literature in order to 1) identify, in literature reviews, the factors associated with mental health in the context of a pandemic or a disaster, factors upon which municipalities can take action; and 2) identify actions at the municipal or community level that influence these factors and help promote mental…

Knowledge review

COVID-19: Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Hemodialysis Units

In the context of the community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the presence of residents of seniors’ residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs) in hemodialysis clinics, what are the recommendations to apply when managing dialysis users in ambulatory hemodialysis units?

Interim recommendations

Hierarchy of Control Measures in the Workplace

Public health recommendations for occupational health are based on the principle of a hierarchy of preventive and protective occupational health measures according to their effectiveness in the specific context of COVID-19. The measures presented in this information sheet are in addition to other measures recommended for workplaces and workers, which in combination increase worker protection.

Interim recommendations

COVID-19: Preventive and Protective Measures for Funeral Services Businesses

This information sheet presents the interim recommendations of the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) regarding the preventive and protective measures to be taken by funeral services businesses (FSBs) that must take charge of the bodies of deceased persons whose death was attributable to COVID-19 as the primary cause or a contributing cause.

Interim recommendations

Temporary Foreign Workers - Practical Information for Employers

If a worker gets sick, all of their coworkers and housemates may have to be isolated. These preventive measures are aimed at protecting the health of all workers so companies can continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic while respecting workers’ rights and freedoms. Employers are responsible for providing accommodations and working conditions that make it possible for temporary foreign workers to comply with these measures. Temporary foreign workers are responsible for complying with…

Interim recommendations

COVID-19: Pregnant and Breastfeeding Workers - Preventive Measures in the Workplace

This is a supplement to the document COVID-19 (SRAS-CoV-2) : Recommandations intérimaires sur les mesures de prévention en milieux de travail pour les travailleuses enceintes ou qui allaitent version 3.0, July 13, 2020. [in French only]

In Québec, a worker who is pregnant or breastfeeding may avail herself of a preventive reassignment as outlined in the For a Safe Maternity…

Interim recommendations