COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Wednesday
Vaccination plans announced for those with chronic illnesses, essential workers
- Quebec reported 1,270 new cases on Wednesday and eight more deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 319,802 confirmed cases and 10,709 people have died.
- There are 543 people in hospital (an increase of 29), including 123 in intensive care (an increase of two).
- 43,631 doses of vaccine were administered in the last 24 hours for a total of 1,636,310 since Dec. 14.
Health Minister Christian Dubé has announced plans to make the vaccine available to those with chronic illnesses as well as those with at-risk jobs.
School staff, daycare workers, police, prison guards and other essential workers who work in Montreal will be able to make appointments on the Clic-Santé website as of Friday, while people age 60 and younger who have high-risk chronic illnesses and receive treatments or consult their doctors in hospitals will be vaccinated as of Monday.
The minister also said that Quebecers over the age of 55 will be eligible to receive the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine starting Thursday, without having to schedule an appointment.
A number of new restrictions are in place in the Montreal area. Gyms will have to close, less than two weeks after being allowed to reopen and students in Grade 9, 10 and 11 will go back to a hybrid learning model.
Here are some of the other new public health restrictions announced on Tuesday:
- Starting Thursday, religious services in red zones will have their maximum capacity reduced from 250 to 25 people. They will be capped at 100 people in orange zones.
- Starting Thursday, travelling from a red or orange zone to a yellow zone will be prohibited.
- Starting Monday, post-secondary education will be online only.
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What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever.
- New or worsening cough.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Sudden loss of smell without a stuffy nose.
- Gastrointestinal issues (such as nausea, diarrhea).
If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks that you call 1‑877‑644‑4545 to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic.
To reserve an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can go on the online portal quebec.ca/covidvaccine. You can also call 1-877-644-4545.
Quebec government reminders for preventing the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Wear a mask or face covering when physical distancing is not possible. Wearing a mask is mandatory in enclosed public spaces across the province.
- Stay at least two metres away from other people as much as possible.
- Self-isolate for 14 days after returning from a stay outside the country.
You can find information on COVID-19 in the province here and information on the situation in Montreal here.
