COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Wednesday
Walk-in vaccination spots opening tomorrow for Quebecers 25 and up
- Quebec reported 745 new cases on Wednesday and 11 more deaths. One previously reported death is no longer attributed to COVID-19.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 360,201 confirmed cases and 11,012 people have died.
- There are 530 people in hospital (a decrease of 10), including 126 in intensive care (a decrease of two).
- 74,391 vaccine doses were administered for a total of 3,918,884 since Dec. 14.
Starting Thursday, hundreds of walk-in vaccination spots will be available for priority groups at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
Vaccination is currently offered to Quebecers 25 years old and up. On Friday, it will be 18 and up.
With the daily COVID-19 caseload and hospitalizations remaining stable, Premier François Legault says he will soon release his plan to gradually roll back public health restrictions.
On Tuesday, the premier said the epidemiological situation indicates the province is on track to have a better summer than the last.
Dr. Horacio Arruda, the province's public health director, didn't offer specifics on a timeline for reopening Montreal and other areas under the tightest restrictions, but said it would be announced soon, adding that the plan would be based on the rate of vaccination and level of transmission.
To make a vaccination appointment, go to Clic Santé.
But Montreal public health knows that young people are particularly interested in walk-in vaccine clinics, and a "special guest" will be at the Palais des congrès to greet people between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Thursday.
The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will be administered at the Palais.
End of emergency restrictions in Outaouais
Legault said emergency restrictions imposed on the Outaouais region will be lifted next Monday. That means the curfew will be pushed back to 9:30 p.m., many non-essential businesses will be allowed to reopen, and high school students will be able to attend in-person classes.
However, heightened measures will remain in place in parts of the Lower Saint-Lawrence, except for Rimouski, where they will also end Monday.
In some specific sectors of the province, the government has opted to partially lift those emergency measures.
In the Chaudière-Appalaches region, the areas of Robert-Cliche, Beauce-Sartigan et Les Etchemins will be allowed to reopen their high schools, but the curfew will remain at 8 p.m. and non-essential businesses will have to stay closed.
As of next Monday, the same set of rules will apply to Le Granit — a regional health unit in the Eastern Townships that includes the town of Lac Mégantic.
A full list of the restrictions is available on the government's website.
WATCH | Legault cautions against Ontarians crossing into Quebec
Vaccination opens to young adults
With appointments for Quebecers who are 25 and older now open, Health Minister Christian Dubé called on young adults to get vaccinated in an open letter published on Monday.
Dubé said on Twitter that the beginning of the province's so-called "youth week" has been successful, with 50 per cent of those 30 to 34 having secured an appointment since Monday.
In an open letter posted to Facebook, Dubé said he knows the past year has been difficult for young adults who have made remarkable sacrifices to protect the most vulnerable and the health-care system.
He said he recognizes that young people's mental health has taken a toll, as they have been relegated to distance learning and those in the hotel, restaurant and culture sectors have lost jobs.
11,000 have died
The number of daily COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain stable, but the province now finds itself with a death toll of more than 11,000 people since the start of the pandemic.
Two months ago, the province held a ceremony to mourn the loss of 10,518 Quebecers.Since then, the virus has killed 484 people — an average of eight per day — a rate lower than other moments during the pandemic, even though it is still claiming lives.
Top COVID-19 stories
- Roughly half a million Quebecers who got AstraZeneca are left without clarity about what they will get for their next dose.
- A Quebec business group wants the province to roll out vaccine passports in time for summer.
- Community organizations have been going door-to-door to provide information about COVID-19 vaccines.
- 4th wave of COVID-19 likely if Canada reopens too fast — and seasonal return may be inevitable.
- Sleepaway camps are allowed to open this summer, with measures in place.
- Quebec aims to offer COVID-19 vaccine to teens before end of school year.
- Here's how Montreal has so far avoided a disastrous 3rd wave.
- How a school outbreak in a small Gaspé town has almost a fifth of residents isolating.
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, vomiting).
- Sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.
- Generalized muscle pain.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
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 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.
With files from The Canadian Press and Radio-Canada
