COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know this weekend
CBC News | Posted: December 19, 2020 1:10 PM | Last Updated: December 20, 2020
Quebec posts new daily high on Sunday as police crack down on illegal parties
- Quebec reported 2,146 new cases of COVID-19 and 21 more deaths on Sunday.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 176,985 confirmed cases and 7,736 people have died. Here's a guide to the numbers.
- There are 1,010 people in hospital (an increase of five) including 146 in intensive care (an increase of four).
- A total of 719 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered on Saturday; 4,716 doses have been administered since Dec. 14.
- CBC Montreal is collecting stories from Quebecers who have recovered from COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, please get in touch.
Quebec registered a record-high 2,146 new cases on Sunday, the second day in a row the case count topped the 2,000-mark.
As cases continue to rise across the province, authorities are cracking down on gatherings that flout public health rules.
Police in Quebec City police issued tickets of $1,546 each to three people in the Beauport area early Sunday morning.
The officers were sent to the home after receiving several calls from neighbours about a party. When police arrived, the occupants wouldn't let them in, but the officers obtained a warrant and eventually doled out the fines.
A spokesperson for the Quebec City police service says it added extra patrollers this weekend because so many people are calling to report gatherings.
Earlier this month, Premier François Legault warned that police and workplace health and safety inspectors would be cracking down on those who flout the COVID-19 rules.
The situation in the province has gotten progressively worse — for the first time since the spring, the province is reporting more than 1,000 coronavirus hospitalizations.
The number has now exceeded that threshold for three consecutive days. Hospitalizations have increased by 50 per cent in the past three weeks, according to the government's INESSS research group.
Health Minister Christian Dubé said on Friday that 10 of the province's hospitals have reached a "critical stage" and warned the system as a whole will be overwhelmed unless Quebecers follow public health guidelines over the holiday period.
The province is getting ready to accelerate its vaccination campaign, by expanding it to a total of 21 sites spread across 15 regions starting next week.
Top COVID-19 stories today
- COVID-19 presents a threat to Quebec's hospitals this winter, here's why.
- Quebec schools, offices, non-essential businesses are closed until Jan. 11.
- Quebec's new lockdown is a harsh reminder that the COVID-19 end game is still several moves away.
- With COVID-19 vaccination underway, Quebec needs a better testing strategy to get virus under control.
- According to Quebec's ombudsman, the province failed to get CHSLDs ready for a pandemic.
- There are new rules to determine who receives life-saving care if health-care system is overwhelmed.
- What we know about Quebec's vaccine plans and what it means for 2021.
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.
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.