COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Wednesday
Vaccine to be made available to general population, Montreal's public health director says cases stable
- Quebec reported 1,094 new cases on Wednesday and 12 more deaths. Two previously reported deaths are no longer attributed to COVID-19.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 347,690 confirmed cases and 10,908 people have died.
- There are 643 people in hospital (a decrease of 24), including 161 in intensive care (a decrease of nine).
- 50,312 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours for a total of 2,967,209 since Dec. 14.
Quebec will soon make vaccines available to the general population.
Details for how the vaccine rollout will work will be announced at a news conference Thursday, sources have told Radio-Canada.
The province is expecting a significant increase in shipments of vaccine starting next week.
Third wave on wane in Montreal
In an update this afternoon, Montreal's public health director, Dr. Mylène Drouin, said she's pleased with how the city has fared in the third wave, maintaining a stability in cases and keeping hospitalizations at a fraction what they were in the second wave.
Still, Drouin urged caution, saying things could change quickly as has been seen elsewhere in the province with superspreader events.
Drouin said the city has seen fewer than 2,000 new cases in the last 14 days, as well a stable positivity rate of about three per cent, despite the highly transmissibile variant of concern B117 making up 65 per cent of new cases.
The curfew in Montreal and Laval will be pushed back to 9:30 p.m. starting next Monday, given the improving situation in the two cities.
Woman dies after getting AstraZeneca vaccine
Francine Boyer, 54, died last Friday two weeks after receiving the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine.
On Tuesday, Quebec's public health director, Dr. Horacio Arruda, confirmed that tests showed the antibodies created by the vaccine caused the platelet problem that led to her death.
He said 400,000 Quebecers have so far received the vaccine and that the woman's death is within the vaccine's average risk, which is that serious complications arise in one in every 100,000 people vaccinated.
Arruda said it's important to weigh the risk of vaccination against the much higher risk of serious complications related to COVID-19.
WATCH: Dr. Zain Chagla on the risks and benefits of the vaccine
Elementary schools to open again in Quebec City
Also yesterday, Legault said elementary schools will open back up in Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches, though secondary schools in Beauce, Lac-Etchemin and part of Bellechasse will remain closed given the level of spread in the community, he said.
"We are getting out of the tunnel but the train of the third wave will hit us if we don't progress gradually," Legault said at a news conference Tuesday.
Given the high positivity rate in the Outaouais region, public health measures will stay in effect until May 9.
Pregnant people next on priority list
Vaccines will also be made available to pregnant people starting today, after some doctors had called for them to be given priority.
Legault said they are still waiting for those with chronic illnesses and disabilities to make their appointments. As vaccine supply ramps up, he said, they will soon make doses available to the general population.
Top COVID-19 stories today
- A day in the ICU at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital.
- An 'insensitive' vaccination notice was a painful reminder of father's COVID-19 death.
- Deaths and hospitalizations are down among older people, as the vaccination campaign ramps up.
- Pregnancy should be next priority for COVID-19 vaccine in Quebec,obstetricians say.
- Some Quebec companies are offering bonuses to workers who get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Canadians over 30 should be offered AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, advisory body recommends.
- Federal modelling data suggest lockdowns have slowed COVID-19 spread.
- Health Canada to start real-time review of Medicago COVID-19 vaccine.
- Quebec is planning to use a different vaccine for the 2nd dose in some cases. Here's what the experts say.
- What we know about the coronavirus variant contributing to India's surging caseload.
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.
Quebec government reminders for preventing the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Wear a mask or face covering 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.
You can find information on COVID-19 in the province here and information on the situation in Montreal here.
