COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Monday
CBC News | Posted: February 14, 2022 11:15 AM | Last Updated: February 14, 2022
Gyms, spas reopen as Quebec enters next phase of reopening plan
- On Monday, Quebec reported 2,095 people in hospital (an increase of 14 from the previous day), including 136 in intensive care (a decrease of four from the previous day).
- The province reported 1,431 new cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 900,273 confirmed cases and 13,710 people have died.
- The province also reported Monday a total of 18,198,492 doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered, including 12,174 in the last 24 hours.
- 91 per cent of the eligible population in the province (aged five and up) have received one dose of the vaccine; 86 per cent have received two doses, and 49 per cent have received three doses.
*The new cases are those reported to the Quebec government only. They are believed to be an underrepresentation of the virus's spread, given the limited availability of PCR tests and use of home testing kits.
Gyms and spas are opening their doors at half capacity across Quebec today as the province enters the next stage of its COVID-19 reopening plan.
Indoor sports and recreation activities can also resume (including at colleges and universities) with a maximum of 25 people per group. Competitions and tournaments remain prohibited until Feb. 28.
Capacity at outdoor sporting and public events can operate at a maximum of 5,000 people.
Relaxation of vaccine passport could be imminent
Premier François Legault told reporters today that Health Minister Christian Dubé plans to ''get rid of the pass as soon as we get the OK from public health."
But Legault said it will depend on what his committee of experts says tonight at their regular, weekly briefing.
Sources have told Radio-Canada that the government is considering lifting the requirement to show vaccine passports at box stores, SAQs and provincial cannabis stores.
The sources say vaccine passports are likely to stay in effect at gyms, restaurants, and theatres.
Here's what's happening next door in Ontario, where the government has decided to do away with vaccine passports March 1.
Time to fix flaws in health system: frontline workers
Chronic underfunding, insufficient beds and inadequate staffing have plagued Quebec's health-care system for years. Frontline workers tell CBC that COVID-19 simply made it more glaring.
As the province lifts further restrictions, health-care workers say unless the system undergoes a major overhaul, the long-standing problems highlighted by the pandemic will have disastrous consequences in the years to come.
Read more in our report today by Benjamin Shingler and Leah Hendry.
WATCH | The system was already broken, this cardiac surgeon says:
Top COVID-19 stories
- Quebec unveils new isolation guidelines for those who caught COVID-19 in 5th wave
- Quebec plans to lift most pandemic restrictions by mid-March
- Data, tests and transparency: What Quebec needs to live with COVID-19
- At least 2 million Quebecers infected with Omicron variant since December
- Community workers are keen to tackle Montreal's pockets of unvaccinated
- Quebec was among the first to test wastewater for COVID-19. Then it stopped funding the research
- As Quebec moves to ease COVID-19 restrictions, daily death toll remains in double digits
- What to do if you think you have the Omicron variant
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.