Quebec COVID-19 cases soar with 1,171 new infections on Saturday, most since April
For the second day in a row, Quebec reported over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases when the health ministry said 1,171 more people have tested positive for the virus.
It is the highest daily increase in cases since April 30 when the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ) reported the same number of new cases.
Of the new cases, 714 people were unvaccinated, 12 received one dose of vaccine more than 14 days prior and 445 were double-vaxxed more than seven days prior to testing positive.
The health ministry says you are 3.7 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 if you are not vaccinated and 1.7 times more likely if you've received one dose.
There are currently 667 active outbreaks of the novel coronavirus.
The province also recorded three new deaths and hospitalizations dropped by one.
Of the 20 patients who checked into Quebec hospitals for COVID-19 treatment, seven were unvaccinated and 13 received both doses of vaccine more than seven days prior to checking into the hospital. There are five more people in intensive care wards than there were 24 hours for a total of 48.
WHY THE RISE IN CASES
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Matthew Oughton said there are several potential reasons for the sudden rise in cases.
The first contributor is the drop in temperature making it easier for the virus to transmit.
"We've seen this happen last winter as well," said Oughton. "Colder weather means people spending more time indoors with poorer ventilation and probably more time closer together indoors with improper ventilation equals easier transmission."
In addition, Oughton cited recent research that shows a gradual waning protection against all infections for those who have been double vaccinated.
"What we're seeing is that over time is that people who are fully vaccinated start to become more likely to get a new infection or what they call a breakthrough infection, however, the breakthrough infections are typically not severe infections," he said. "Even though there are cases, they tend to overwhelmingly be mild cases."
This point is highlighted by the rise in new cases, but stable numbers of hospitalizations and deaths due to the virus. For example, on Nov. 27, 2020, Quebec reported 1,269 new COVID-19 cases with 38 more deaths. In addition, there were 669 people in Quebec hospitals with 90 of those in intensive care wards.
"If you look at the proportion of all cases to severe disease now compared to all cases to severe disease a year ago before we started vaccinating, it's very clear that there are proportionally much fewer cases of severe disease and the severe diseases we're seeing is in those that are not fully vaccinated," said Oughton.
VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
Quebec's vaccination rate remains at 84 per cent for those who have received a first dose, and 81 per cent for those who have received both doses.
Health-care professionals administered 14,057 more doses to children aged five to 11 received, and there are now 29,876 in that age group who have got their first jab.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.