COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Wednesday
CBC News | Posted: October 6, 2021 10:58 AM | Last Updated: October 6, 2021
Canada unveils mandatory vaccines for all public servants, would-be air and rail travellers
- Quebec reported 506 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and three new deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 413,306 confirmed cases and 11,400 people have died.
- There are 294 people in hospital (an increase of three), including 90 in intensive care (no change).
- The province has administered 12,963,912 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 8,846 in the last 24 hours.
- 89 per cent of the eligible population in the province (age 12 and up) has received one dose of vaccine, and 85 per cent has received two doses.
Note: Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccine doses administered over the weekend.
All federal employees, including "core public administration" and the RCMP, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the month's end or be forced into an unpaid leave of absence.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally unveiled his government's mandatory vaccine policy today.
All would-be travellers must also be fully vaccinated by Oct. 30 before boarding planes, trains or marine vessels.
If employees still haven't had their shots or received some sort of accommodation under the Canadian Human Rights Act two weeks after that date, they will face "disciplinary action that could ultimately cost them their job," a senior government official said at a technical briefing with reporters ahead of Trudeau's announcement.
Unvaccinated employees will be barred from going to work, either in person or remotely, and they will be put on administrative leave and denied pay.
Vaccines at construction sites
The Quebec government has launched a project to get construction workers vaccinated in its latest push to curb outbreaks of COVID-19 at job sites.
Mobile vaccination units will be deployed to construction sites across Quebec to give workers the opportunity to get a shot on the job.
The group representing Quebec general contractors, the Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux du Québec (CEGQ), is partnering with the Health Ministry to make it happen.
The province says construction sites are linked to a high number of outbreaks — about 1,200 since the start of the pandemic. About 4,000 workers have been infected, according to CEGQ president Éric Côté.
"The average age of the workers is around 40, so we know that's the group of vaccinated people that's under the average," he said. "If you make [vaccines] available for them, they will show up, and they are showing up."
Paramedic pilot project
Health Minister Christian Dubé says paramedics will soon be given the power to provide urgent and primary care inside hospitals, long term care homes and clinics, as part of the ongoing effort to ease staffing shortages in the province's health care system.
Dubé says Quebec will start with a pilot project of about 20 paramedics in the Montérégie region. Those first responders will be trained in the coming days and, if things go well, the plan could be expanded to all of Quebec's 6000 paramedics.
Stéphane Smith, a spokesperson for Urgences Santé, expressed concern about the new approach, saying paramedics have regularly been working mandatory overtime and certain regions can't afford to spare any staff.
Restrictions on venue capacity to be lifted
As of Friday, show venues in Quebec will no longer have restrictions on the number of people they take in.
The change applies to venues with assigned seating such as cinemas, theatres and amphitheatres — such as Montreal's Bell Centre.
Only people who show proof that they are adequately vaccinated will be allowed entry. Wearing masks will be mandatory while seated, unless a person is eating or drinking. The same rules will apply to outdoor venues.
There are exceptions when it comes to the use of the vaccination passport, however. For events such as graduation ceremonies, large meetings and assemblies, proof of vaccination status will not be required — unless the number of people attending surpasses 250.
Members of choirs and orchestras will be able to gather indoors in groups of up to 100, instead of the current limit of 25.
Top COVID-19 stories
- ICU staff battle patients' regret, denial and mistrust during Quebec's 4th wave
- More than 17,000 Quebec health-care workers face suspension for refusing COVID-19 vaccine.
- Quebec passes law to make protesting outside schools, hospitals and vaccinations sites illegal
- Groups say Quebec's bonus pay for nurses won't solve staffing crisis.
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
- 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.