No COVID-19-related deaths in Quebec in a week
Quebec has not recorded a single death related to COVID-19 in over a week, according to data provided by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ).
The last registered death was on July 6 in a private seniors' home (RPA). Four deaths have so far been recorded this month. However, deaths can sometimes be added by health officials during 'data catch-ups.'
The number of new infections in the province continues to stay low, with 658 active cases as of Thursday morning, 79 of which are in hospital.
Health officials have credited high vaccination rates for the steadying numbers, with more than 6 million people (82 per cent) having received one dose of a vaccine and just over 3.5 million (47 per cent) having received two doses of a vaccine.
Nevertheless, government officials say they are still working to encourage all Quebecers to get inoculated, if eligible.
Wednesday, they launched a new ad campaign titled 'A good dose.'
The goal is to emphasize how important it is to get both vaccine doses as one is not enough to protect against COVID-19 or its variants.
The INSPQ says it is keeping a close eye on the four variants that have been identified in Quebec: B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma) and B.1.617 (Delta).
"Effectiveness after one dose is lower for the Delta variant compared with the Alpha variant. However, the protection is still good against hospitalization or severe disease," explains Nicholas Brousseau with the INSPQ. "Protection after two vaccine doses is great for all variants, including the Delta variant."
The number of cases related to the variants has remained under control, with a total of 8,341 infections in the province.
"It is important to note that the number of Delta variants is still low in Quebec compared to other variants," he said. "For the moment, there is no big increase in COVID-19 cases in the province, which is good news."
To date, a total of 11,231 people have died in the province due to the virus.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted innocent women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.