COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Wednesday
VaxiCode apps available for download on App Store, Google Play to follow in coming days
- Quebec reported 550 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and one new death (the death occurred prior to Aug. 18)
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 386,015 confirmed cases and 11,284 people have died.
- There are 110 people in hospital (an increase of eight), including 33 in intensive care (an increase of four).
- 27,678 doses of vaccine were administered for a total of 12,158,956 doses administered in Quebec.
- 86 per cent of the eligible population in the province (age 12 and up) has received one dose of vaccine, and 77 per cent have received two doses.
Dr. Mylène Drouin, Montreal's public health director, says the city is facing a fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the more contagious delta variant.
According to Montreal Public Health's most recent data, a total of 1,106 COVID-19 cases were recorded on its territory over a seven-day period leading up to Monday.
Delay return to office, province urges
The Quebec government wants companies to delay plans to bring employees back to the office until the COVID-19 situation in the province improves.
The Health Ministry said today in a news release it would be more prudent to wait before asking employees to stop working from home because of the heavy presence of the delta variant in Quebec and because the province is in a fourth wave of the virus.
It says a large proportion of outbreaks across the province during preceding waves occurred in workplaces.
Passport is coming
A week from today, Quebecers will need to show proof they are adequately vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to go to restaurants, bars, gyms and take part in a slew of other non-essential public activities.
The VaxiCode apps — one for people seeking entry into a public place, and the other allowing businesses to verify customers' proof of vaccination — are now available for download on Apple's App Store.
The app should be in the Google Play Store in the coming days. The vaccination passport system takes effect on Sept. 1
For a full breakdown of the vaccination passport works, and where it will apply, click here.
Masks in class
Quebec will require students in primary and secondary schools in several regions, including Montreal and Laval, to wear masks at all times while indoors when they return to class.
Education Minister Jean-François Roberge announced the changes to the back-to-school plan in a news conference Tuesday.
The masks would make a comeback in classrooms across Montreal, Laval, Montérégie, Lanaudière, the Laurentians, Centre-du-Québec, Outaouais, the Eastern Townships and Mauricie.
"This is a measure that is preventive and prudent," Roberge said. "This is not a situation we were hoping for."
WATCH | Infectious diseases specialist calls for masks, return to bubbles in schools
Top COVID-19 stories
- Quebec mandates vaccinations for all health-care workers and masks in post-secondary schools.
- Quebec could soon allow some 11-year-olds to get COVID-19 vaccine
- With September looming, parents across Canada call for pandemic-era safety measures and supports.
- Why it's now more likely you'll face coronavirus — even if you're vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Will Quebec's vaccine passport plan help the province stave off another lockdown?
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.
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