COVID-19 in Quebec: 70 more hospitalizations, 27 new deaths
An additional 27 people with COVID-19 have died in Quebec, bringing the total deaths in the province to 17,354 since the pandemic began, it was reported Wednesday.
Of the new deaths, one was recorded in the last 24 hours, 16 were recorded between two and seven days ago, and 10 were recorded over a week ago.
There are 1,946 people with COVID-19 in Quebec hospitals, an increase of 70 from the previous day, with 194 admissions and 124 discharges. Of the total hospitalizations, 600 were admitted for reasons directly related to COVID-19, while the rest tested positive seeking treatment for other ailments.
Meanwhile, there a 51 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, 24 of whom were admitted for reasons directly related to the virus. The number has remained stable since the previous day, with 10 entries and 10 discharges.
NEW CASES
Sante Quebec did not provide the number of positive COVID-19 PCR tests on Wednesday.
"Due to a problem beyond our control, data on cases is not available today," the Quebec government website states.
However, an additional 95 positive rapid tests were self-declared, bringing the total to 263,047.
There are currently 3,908 health-care workers absent from the job for COVID-19-related reasons.
The province is monitoring 377 active outbreaks.
VACCINATIONS
An additional 18,975 coronavirus vaccines have been administered to Quebecers.
As of Wednesday, 62 per cent of Quebecers are considered to have basic vaccination status.
For minors, this means they've received at least two shots, or one shot plus one COVID-19 infection. For adults, this means they've received at least two doses with one booster, or two doses plus one infection.
Meanwhile, 25 per cent of adults have gotten the jab since Aug. 15, while 30 per cent have gotten it in the last five months.
That rate is far higher among people over 80 years old at 66 per cent. It's lowest among under-40s at nine per cent.
Quebec public health is encouraging people to wear masks in crowded public spaces as the province's hospitals battle COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Beyonce becomes most decorated artist in Grammys history; Harry Styles wins album of the year
Harry Styles won album of the year at Sunday's Grammy Awards, taking home the top honour on a night that Beyoncé dominated and became the ceremony's most decorated artist. Beyonce won her 32nd award, breaking a 26-year-old record. But as in years past, the album of the year honour eluded her.

First tank sent by Canada for Ukrainian forces arrives in Poland
The first of the Leopard 2 tanks Canada is donating to Ukrainian forces has arrived in Poland.
Advocates come together to help sailors stuck for months on tugboats in Quebec port
Groups that advocate for seafarers are expressing concern for 11 sailors who are spending a harsh Quebec winter aboard three tugboats that have been detained for months in the port of Trois-Rivières.
At least 200 dead as powerful 7.8 earthquake hits Turkiye, Syria
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkiye and northern Syria early Monday, toppling buildings and triggering a frantic search for survivors in the rubble in cities and towns across the area. At least 207 were killed and hundreds injured, and the toll was expected to rise.
Canadians Drake, Michael Buble, Tobias Jesso Jr. among early Grammy winners
Singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. became a first-time Grammy Award winner at the pre-broadcast ceremony where fellow Canadians Michael Buble and Drake also picked up trophies.
'Natural power': 17-year-old undefeated Quebec boxer gears up for Canada Games
She started throwing punches to get exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now 17-year-old Talia Birch is gearing up to compete in the Canada Games as it opens up to female boxers for the first time
31,000 cards: Montreal woman passing along father's extensive collection of Expos baseball cards
A Montreal woman is passing along her father's extensive collection of over 31,000 Expos baseball cards. April Whitzman's father, Steve Whitzman, collected the cards from 1969 to 2016. A huge Expos fan, he's got every player covered.
Charles Kimbrough, best known for role in 'Murphy Brown,' dies at 86
Charles Kimbrough, a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor who played a straight-laced news anchor opposite Candice Bergen on “Murphy Brown,” died Jan. 11 in Culver City, California. He was 86.
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.