Quebec COVID-19 hospitalizations drop again as province logs 25 more deaths
There were 26 fewer people with COVID-19 reported to be in Quebec's hospitals Thursday, continuing a downward trend suggesting the province is on the tail-end of the sixth pandemic wave.
Public health is reporting 1,821 occupied hospital beds in the province with 117 new entries and 143 people no longer in care.
Of those in hospital, 60 are in the ICU, down two from the day before.
As for health-care staff, there were 6,412 absent from work due to the virus, whether that be because they were sick, awaiting results, or withdrawn as a preventative measure.
The government also reported 25 more deaths due to the virus.
Health-care professionals recorded 767 positive PCR tests, which are reserved for select at-risk groups. There were also 252 self-declared rapid tests, which are available to all adults at most pharmacies.
In total, the province logged 1,019 new infections.
Public health is aware of 771 active outbreaks and 15,178 active cases.
Following the analysis of 14,324 PCR tests, public health is reporting a positivity rate of 8.6 per cent, suggesting the virus is still circulating widely.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland's budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians, here's what else to expect Tuesday
The 2023 federal budget will include a one-time 'grocery rebate' for Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.

Nashville school shooting suspect was former student: police
Authorities say they believe the 28-year-old female shooter who killed three children and three adults at a private Christian school in Nashville on Monday was a former student.
Canadian Pacific train derails in rural North Dakota and spills chemical
A Canadian Pacific train derailed in rural North Dakota Sunday night and spilled hazardous materials. But local authorities and the railroad said there is no threat to public safety.
'It's horrific': Calgary house explosion injures 10 people
The Calgary Fire Department says at least 10 people were injured in a 'sudden and devastating' explosion in the city's northeast on Monday that completely destroyed one home.
LIVE NOW | Funeral underway for Edmonton officers killed in the line of duty
The appreciation and respect shown by the public after two Edmonton Police Service officers were killed in the line of duty has not gone unnoticed, their families said in a statement ahead of the regimental funeral on Monday.
Gwyneth Paltrow accuser calls Utah ski crash 'serious smack'
The man suing Gwyneth Paltrow over a 2016 skiing collision at one of the most upscale resorts in North America took the stand Monday, saying he was rammed into from behind and sent 'absolutely flying.' The trial in Utah hinges on who crashed into who.
MP Han Dong says he's retained lawyer, plans to sue Global News over interference report
Toronto MP Han Dong says he is taking legal action over a media report that alleged he spoke to a Chinese diplomat in February 2021 about delaying the release of two Canadians detained in China at the time.
How many COVID-19 vaccine doses should you have by now?
Here is a summary of the current COVID-19 vaccination guidelines from NACI, for both children and adults who are at increased risk of serious illness and those who are not.
Sask. judge grants bail for Quewezance sisters who say they were wrongfully imprisoned nearly 30 years ago
A pair of Saskatchewan sisters have been granted bail after spending almost 30 years in prison for what they describe as a wrongful conviction.