COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Monday
CBC News | Posted: December 13, 2021 11:23 AM | Last Updated: December 13, 2021
Legault says he will get update from public health officials tonight
- Quebec reported 1,628 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and three new deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 467,609 confirmed cases and 11,611 people have died.
- There are 268 people in hospital (an increase of six), including 73 in intensive care (an increase of five).
- The province has administered 13,997,617 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 24,009 in the last 24 hours.
- 87 per cent of the eligible population in the province (age five and up) has received one dose of vaccine, and 81 per cent has received two doses.
Note: Quebec's vaccination rate has been adjusted to include five- to 11-year-olds, causing the overall percentage to drop. Vaccinations for the group began last week.
Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays.
With the daily COVID-19 case totals surging in the province in recent days, Premier François Legault says he remains encouraged by the fact that, for now, they have not led to a noticeable increase in the number of people in hospital.
"Because of the high vaccination rate, there are very few consequences, for the moment, on hospitalizations," Legault said on Monday while meeting with reporters.
"We're following this day by day."
The premier said there are no plans to deviate from the province's plan to allow indoor gatherings of up to 20 people as of Dec. 23, though he did mention on several occasions that he is scheduled to meet with public health officials this evening.
Montreal's public health department says 14 cases of the omicron COVID-19 variant have now been detected in the city — and only five of them are associated with travel outside the country.
They say that means the others acquired it in Canada, which suggests limited local transmission.
The news of the variant's spread comes as Quebec reported more than 2,000 new COVID-19 infections last Friday for the first time in nearly 11 months.
As of Monday, Quebec's seven-day rolling average is 1,683 new cases.
Omicron tests in LaSalle
Montreal public health is asking people who may have visited a LaSalle community centre or a gym in Kirkland at certain times to get tested for the omicron variant of COVID-19.
The two places in question are Buzzfit Kirkland, located at 3240 Jean-Yves Street and the Centre culturel et communautaire Henri-Lemieux located at 7644 Édouard Street in LaSalle.
You can find out more about the specific dates and times as well as the testing sites here.
Outbreak at Lakeshore General Hospital and two provincial jails
The Lakeshore General Hospital is strengthening infection control measures and continuing its epidemiological investigation after declaring a COVID-19 outbreak Friday.
No new positive cases were reported over the weekend.
In a statement, the local health authority, the CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, confirmed that fewer than five people were infected, and all of them were doubly vaccinated.
In a statement, the local health authority, the CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, confirmed that fewer than five people were infected, and all of them were doubly vaccinated.
Due to reasons of confidentiality, the CIUSSS says it cannot confirm where in the hospital the outbreak occurred.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Monday reported two outbreaks of COVID-19 in provincial jails. It said 13 inmates at the Rivère-des-Prairies detention centre in Montreal have active cases of COVID-19, as do 13 staff members. Sixteen inmates at the jail in Sorel-Tracy, Que., northeast of Montreal, also have active cases of COVID-19.
Top COVID-19 stories
- Quebec-made vaccine shows 'high efficacy' against COVID-19
- Ottawa nixing molecular COVID test requirement for Canadians taking short trips abroad: sources
- Quebec backs down again on mandatory vaccination in health network
- Vaccines won't be mandatory for teachers, school staff as Quebec COVID-19 situation improves
- Doctor convinced vaccine hesitant patient attendant to get her shot with patience and respect
- Take a look inside: How a Montreal hospital deals with ongoing staffing shortages
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.