Quebec COVID-19 hospitalizations fall to 1,611, five new deaths reported
Quebec's health ministry is reporting another drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations Monday with 11 fewer people receiving care and four fewer people being treated in the intensive care unit.
Hospitalizations were down to 1,611 and ICU cases dropped to 51, the ministry said.
The province is also recording five new deaths related to the coronavirus, for a total of 15,284 deaths.
Another indicator points to an improving COVID-19 situation in the province: the health ministry reported 5,331 health-care workers were absent for reasons related to the virus (such as self-isolation after testing positive or awaiting test results). Seven days ago, there were 6,357 health workers reported absent.
On Saturday, Quebec became the last province in Canada to lift its face mask mandate for most indoor locations.
The province also recorded 457 people have tested positive in the last 24 hours through PCR testing, which is still reserved for high-priority groups. An additional 139 positive cases were identified through rapid antigen testing.
The positivity rate is down to 6.7 per cent and the province is monitoring 643 active outbreaks. Meanwhile, there are 11,849 active cases province-wide, which is down by more than 2,000 cases from May 13.
Health-care workers analyzed 9,529 samples on May 14.
VACCINATION UPDATE
Another 5,243 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours, for a total of 19,773,206 shots given out in Quebec. An additional 331,213 doses have been given out to Quebecers outside of the province.
Most of the new shots administered in the previous day (3,887 shots) were for fourth doses, also known as "second booster shots."
So far, health-care workers have administered 7,435,318 first doses covering 91 per cent of the eligible population, 4,453,600 third doses covering 55 per cent of the population, and 1,016,947 fourth doses covering 12 per cent of the population.
The Ministry of Health no longer provides data on second doses in its daily COVID-19 update.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Four people arrested at National War Memorial in Ottawa as Canada Day celebrations begin
Police officers in cruisers, on foot patrol and on bicycles are patrolling the Parliamentary Precinct, the ByWard Market and the so-called 'motor vehicle control zone,' as the city prepares for Canada's 155th birthday celebrations and possible protests.

Mounties issue 80 tickets in B.C. national park after crashes kill 3 bears in 6 days
Multiple crashes involving bears in a B.C. national park earlier this month prompted a crackdown on drivers in the area, according to the B.C. Highway Patrol and Parks Canada.
Royal Canadian Navy relieves Pacific fleet ship commander for 'inappropriate conduct'
The Royal Canadian Navy says it has relieved the commanding officer of a warship in the Pacific Fleet.
'Extraordinarily rare' Princess Diana portrait goes on display in London
A rare portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales, will be on public display for the first time after it was recently sold for US$201,600 at auction.
At least 18 dead in Russian missile attack on residential buildings, officials say
Russian missile attacks on residential areas in a coastal town near the Ukrainian port city of Odesa early Friday killed at least 18 people, including two children, authorities reported, a day after Russian forces withdrew from a strategic Black Sea island.
2 slain gunmen still unidentified after Saanich shooting: BC RCMP
Saanich police will hold another update on a deadly shooting that took place on Tuesday afternoon, leaving two suspects dead and six officers with gunshot wounds.
Here's what Air Canada and WestJet have said about reducing flights
Two of Canada's largest airlines announced steps this week to cope with delays, cancellations and service issues. Head to CTVNews.ca to read about the changes announced by Air Canada and WestJet.
Poilievre marches with soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates ahead of Canada Day
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre joined the final leg of a march led by a Canadian soldier charged for speaking out against COVID-19 vaccine requirements that has sparked promises -- and fears -- of a new wave of protests in the capital.
Trump's vulnerabilities for 2024 presidential run mount after latest testimony
Stunning new revelations about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s fight to overturn the 2020 election have exposed growing political vulnerabilities just as he eyes another presidential bid.