Quebec COVID-19 absences in health-care settings rise above 7,500, hospitalizations drop
There were 2,119 Quebecers in hospital with COVID-19 as of Thursday's update, a significant drop since the day before.
Since Wednesday morning, 150 people entered hospital, and 207 were no longer in care. That makes for an overall decrease of 57.
Of those in hospital, 64 were in the ICU as of Thursday's update, 14 fewer than the day before.
Meanwhile, more health-care workers were absent from work while undergoing COVID-19 isolation, according to Quebec public health, which raised the tally to 7,506.
There were also 18 more people reported dead due to the virus, bringing that total to 15,084 since the pandemic began.
While hospitalizations slow in Quebec, an 11.6 per cent positivity rate suggests the virus is still circulating widely.
There are 941 known active outbreaks, and 19,884 known active cases in Quebec.
Recorded infections rose by 1,745 after health-care professionals logged 1,416 positive PCR tests and 329 Quebecers reported they got a positive result on a rapid test.
PCR testing is reserved for select at-risk populations in Quebec. Rapid tests are available for free at most pharmacies.
As for vaccinations, health workers administered 21,303 doses since Wednesday morning.
Quebec public health announced Wednesday evening that all adults can book an appointment for a fourth dose on Clic Sante if they wish. However, they are not yet recommending people do so.
Previously, anyone under 60 could get the fourth dose, but only at a walk-in clinic. Now, people aged 18 to 59 can book an appointment on ClicSanté.
So far, 10 per cent of Quebecers have their second booster, which had initially only been offered to at-risk demographics, including those over 60.
About one-in-three Quebecers over 60 has received four doses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
1 person killed and 23 injured in a bus crash in northern Maryland, police say
One person was killed and 23 others were injured when a bus crashed early Sunday on Interstate 95 in northern Maryland, police said.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Video shows gaggle of geese stopping traffic on Highway 1 near Vancouver
A mother goose and her goslings caused a bit of a traffic jam on a busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Vancouver Saturday.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
William Shatner says he would consider 'Star Trek' return: 'Here comes Captain Kirk!'
The Montreal-born actor, famed for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," says he is open to reprising the iconic role in the sci-fi franchise as long as the storytelling is stellar.