COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Friday
Another record smashed as Quebec records over 10,000 cases on Christmas Eve
- Quebec reported 9,397 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and six new deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 511,095 confirmed cases and 11,658 people have died.
- There are 473 people in hospital (an increase of 28), including 91 in intensive care (an increase of three).
- The province has administered 14,619,762 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 89,924 in the last 24 hours.
- 89 per cent of the eligible population in the province (ages five and up) has received one dose of vaccine, 81 per cent has received two doses, and 11 per cent have received boosters.
Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays. It will not be publishing daily COVID-19 data on Dec. 24, 25, and 26, as well as Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and 2.
According to the province's open data portal, slightly more than 10,000 new cases were added on Friday, eclipsing the previous record of 9,397 new cases reported one day earlier. Details on COVID-19 related hospitalizations and vaccinations will be released next week.
"The Omicron variant is more contagious than anything seen since the start of the pandemic," Legault wrote in a Christmas message posted to Facebook. "I count on your judgment to respect the instructions and to be careful."
Quebec has tightened rules at long-term care homes and at seniors residences. Residents of long-term care homes will not be permitted to leave for private holiday gatherings and will only be allowed one visitor at a time, for a maximum of two visitors per day.
Outings are still permitted at seniors residences, but residents will only be allowed a maximum of four visitors a day for the holiday period.
Legault called on Quebecers to reach out to those alone during the holidays or who are isolating because of a positive COVID-19 test result, and he acknowledged the courage and dedication of health workers.
"The next few weeks are going to be difficult," Legault wrote. "It will be very important to continue our efforts and to stick together, even if we are tired."
Quebec orders 12 million rapid tests
The Quebec government has reportedly decided to order millions more rapid tests itself rather than wait for deliveries from the federal government, which it says are too slow to ease frustrations of thousands of Quebecers unable to obtain the tests in pharmacies.
Sources told Radio-Canada the province has agreed to spend $86 million on the order, which could secure at least 12 million rapid tests.
It is not known when Quebec will receive this order.
Ottawa is set to deliver more rapid tests through January, and all Quebecers are entitled to one free package of five rapid tests, which are being being handed out at pharmacies.
Radio-Canada is also reporting the province will be buying an additional 10 million N95 masks to bulk up its stock. The province already has 10 million of the masks in reserve.
The move comes as two unions representing health-care workers call for the masks to be provided to all medical staff, but sources tell Radio-Canada that won't happen. The masks could be given to some, such as emergency room staff or at family doctors' offices.
Over 5,000 health-care workers are currently off the job due to COVID-19, and people within the health network worry that number will grow with Omicron quickly spreading across the province.
Northern Quebec community is at red alert level
The rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in Kangiqsualujjuaq has led public health authorities there to put the community on red alert level. This means a complete shut down of all non-essential places such as the church, arena and community centre. There is now a curfew from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
While essential services like the clinic, police station and co-op will be open, all non-essential activities are cancelled.
People cannot visit others or host visitors, including family members who do not live in the same house. For the holidays, two households (always the same) are allowed to gather until Jan. 3. Supervised outdoor gatherings are permitted as long as distancing is maintained.
Only essential travel to and from the community is allowed.
Montreal health officials warn of 'critical time'
Montreal's director of public health says it's now a critical time for the city's health network as the holidays approach and case numbers continue to grow exponentially.
Dr. Mylène Drouin provided an update of the COVID-19 situation in the city on Thursday alongside Sonia Bélanger, who runs the health authority for the city's downtown area, the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal.
Bélanger noted hospitalizations in Montreal have jumped by over 60 per cent, with most patients infected with the Delta variant.
Omicron is particularly hitting young Montrealers aged 18-44, Drouin said. The age group accounts for 60 per cent of the cases.
The positivity rate in Montreal is hovering around 18-20 per cent, meaning one in five people who do receive a PCR test are positive.
Quebec City officials warn of potential hospital breaks
Health officials in Quebec City and the Chaudière-Appalaches to its south also urged residents to keep their holiday gatherings small.
In a news conference Thursday, regional health officials warned of possible cuts to hospital services in the new year if COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise at their current rate.
"As a health professional on the frontlines of intensive care for the past 21 months, I have never felt the system was so fragile in the face of the demand to come," said Dr. Mathieu Simon, pulmonologist and head of the ICU at the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec.
Hospitalizations in both regions are also on the rise. Quebec City saw 16 COVID-19 patients in hospital Thursday – triple the number of patients in hospital at the start of the week.
The vast majority of those patients, the health authority says, are over 60 and unvaccinated.
Top COVID-19 stories
- Montreal declares state of emergency
- What to do if you think you have the Omicron variant
- Long lines and little stock as Quebec starts rapid test rollout
- Changing plans this holiday season? Here is some advice for facing those tough decisions
- A new COVID benefit is now in effect, but no one can access it
- What you need to know about traveling, gathering, and rapid testing
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.
You can find information on COVID-19 in the province here and information on the situation in Montreal here.
With files from The Canadian Press and Radio-Canada