COVID-19 numbers skyrocket in Quebec with 1,807 cases
Quebec reported 1,807 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the largest single-day increase since April 9, as the province straddled the peak of its spring wave of COVID-19.
If Quebec's daily case counts continue to grow, daily infections will exceed what was recorded during the springtime coronavirus swell.
On April 9, 2021, the province reported 1,868 cases, according to Quebec's public health institute (INSPQ). It was the highest number reported since January -- as the province was coming off the winter wave, which had pushed the government to introduce strict lockdown measures, including a curfew.
On Thursday, public health reported overall hospitalizations increased by 13 to a total of 255 people receiving care.
That's after 35 more people entered hospital with COVID-19 symptoms, and 22 were reportedly no longer receiving care since Wednesday morning.
Of those in hospital, 60 are in the ICU, an overall increase of one.
One more person has been reported dead, bringing that total to 11,597.
Public health is monitoring 940 active outbreaks and 12,085 active cases within the province.
Thursday's update was based on 36,620 analyzed tests. The positivity rate was 4.2 per cent.
Note: Thursday's total of 1,807 cases is slightly lower than what was previously reported to CTV News by a source within the health ministry, who said the province had logged 1,821 new cases.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS GET THEIR SHOTS
As of Wednesday morning, public health says 221,126 Quebec children aged five to 11 had gotten their first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 82,180 had an appointment to get theirs soon.
That's about one in three children in that age group who have their first shot, including 14,000 doses that were administered within that demographic Wednesday.
As of Thursday morning, 81 per cent of eligible Quebecers (aged five and up) have been fully vaccinated, and 87 per cent have gotten at least one dose.
As for third, or "booster" shots, four per cent have received one, the majority of whom are newly eligible people aged 70 and up.
Of Thursday's 1,807 cases, 960 of those infections were dicovered among people who had gotten their first dose less than two weeks prior, or never got a shot at all.
That group also accounted for 20 of the 35 new hospitalizations.
Public health says unvaccinated people are 3.2 times more likely to catch COVID-19, and 15.8 times more likely to end up in hospital after getting sick.
QUEBEC POLICE TO UP EFFORTS OVER HOLIDAYS
Quebec's Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault announced Thursday morning police across the province have been advised to crack down on violations of health measures over the holidays.
Police have been instructed to pay close attention to restaurants and bars in particular, the minister said, to ensure owners are keeping track of their clients' vaccine passports.
"It is important to maintain safe behavior during the holidays, for our health and to get us out of this pandemic as quickly as possible," said Guilbault in a press release.
"Increased interventions" are set to take place during the holiday period, particularly on Dec. 9-11 and 16-18.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.