COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Thursday

• On Thursday, Quebec reported 2,994 people in hospital (an increase of 117 from the previous day), including 272 in intensive care (an increase of nine). 
• The province reported 8,793 new cases of COVID-19 and 45 new deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 775,720 confirmed cases and 12,125 people have died.
• On Thursday, the province also reported a total of 16,080,391 doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered, including 111,395 in the last 24 hours.
• 90 per cent of the eligible population in the province (ages five and up) has received one dose of the vaccine, 82 per cent have received two doses, and 28 per cent have received three doses.

The new cases represent 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.

Premier François Legault  has announced an end to the overnight curfew, starting Monday — the same day elementary and high school students head back to school. Here's what you need to know.

Legault made that announcement at a news conference Thursday afternoon, alongside Health Minister Christian Dubé, Education Minister Jean-François Roberge and interim public health director Dr. Luc Boileau.

The vaccination passport will be extended to most larger stores, with the exception of grocery stores and pharmacies, Legault announced. Grocery stores and some non-essential stores, closed Sundays since the start of the year, will be allowed to open Sundays again as of Jan. 23.

WATCH | François Legault explains why he brought in, and then dropped, the curfew:

Ending the curfew has nothing to do with politics, popularity, or polls, Quebec's premier said Thursday

3 years ago

Duration 2:28

François Legault says ending Quebec's curfew on Monday has nothing to do with his government's waning popularity, while Health Minister Christian Dubé warns the province must reopen gradually and carefully.

Data shows peak could be coming soon

Hospitalizations in the greater Montreal area are expected to peak in the coming week, according to projections from the province's public health research institute.  

INSPQ data published today shows hospitalizations and the number of COVID-19 related deaths will likely drop soon, depending on the length of patients' hospital stays and the lag time between reported infections and deaths.

"Given the very high community transmission, the situation remains fragile even if a slowdown in the number of cases and hospitalizations could occur soon," Marc Brisson, one of the researchers behind the projections, said.

Projections are based on different scenarios taking into account the severity of Omicron, the vaccination rate, the population's adherence to public health measures and the impact of resuming in-person classes.

Back to school 

In a social media post last night, Legault confirmed CEGEPs and universities can also return to in-person classes, although they will have some leeway to adjust.

He says the government will also make rapid tests available in schools. 

Students will have to wear masks at all times, except while eating.

Nearly 60 per cent of elementary students have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 89 per cent of high school students have received two doses.

Quebecers who got COVID-19 urged to get booster shots

Quebecers who have recently contracted COVID-19 will be able to get their third dose as soon as they are symptom-free, the government announced Wednesday — as long as it's been three months since their last dose.

The province said anyone who wishes to get a booster shot, including those who recently had COVID-19, should get one "as soon as possible" to have better protection against the Omicron variant.

The government announced last week that once the entire eligible population has had the opportunity to receive their booster dose, three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be required to use the province's vaccination passport system.

Currently, two doses are sufficient to be considered adequately vaccinated.

Meanwhile, experts say there's no critical timeline to receive the third dose post infection.

"A month is a reasonable time to wait, but if you go a little bit earlier, a little bit later, it won't make a large difference in the immune response," said McMaster University immunologist Dawn Bowdish.

As of of today, people 25 and older can register for their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on the province's Clic Santé website. All Quebecers 18 and over will be able to do so tomorrow. 

Questions raised about Quebec's plan for a tax

Community advocates and experts say the government should try vaccination incentives, rather than a health tax, to avoid entrenching inequities among marginalized groups. 

Premier François Legault announced Tuesday that unvaccinated Quebecers who don't have a medical exemption will have to pay a "significant" health tax if they don't get vaccinated soon. 

Roughly 10 per cent of eligible Quebecers remain unvaccinated, but health officials say they take up about 50 per cent of COVID-19 beds in hospitals. Several regional health boards have had to cancel up to 80 per cent of non-urgent and semi-urgent surgeries to free up staff to help with COVID-19 infections.

Legault did not say when the tax would take effect or how much it would cost, but he did say he wanted it to be "significant" enough to act as an incentive to get vaccinated — more than $50 or $100, he added.

He said the contribution could be included in people's provincial tax filings, but he did not say whether it would be in those for 2021, which are to be filed by April 30, 2022.

Top COVID-19 stories

• Quebec faces calls for greater scientific independence after top doctor resigns

• COVID-19 is pushing Quebec hospitals to highest alert level
• Experts warn outbreaks in Quebec's long-term care homes could get worse before they improve
• Quebec's new restrictions have been met with mixed reactions
• Quebec sees record number of kids in hospital with COVID-19
• Here's how Quebec plans to keep some COVID-infected, exposed essential workers on the job
• What to do if you think you have the Omicron variant