Quebec COVID-19 hospitalizations rise to highest since February
There are now 2,154 people in hospital with COVID-19 in Quebec, according to public health, and 96 of them are in the intensive care unit.
The last time that many people were in hospital because of the coronavirus was Feb. 9.
Since Wednesday, 282 people were admitted to hospital and 188 people were discharged, for a net increase of 94.
As for health-care staff, just under 13,000 (12,995) were absent from work because of COVID-19.
Public health reports 26 more people died due to the virus, bringing that total to 14,618.
The province reported 3,190 positive PCR tests; screening is only available to members of select vulnerable groups.
In addition, 1,122 people reported they had tested positive on a rapid test.
Quebec's positivity rate was 16.5 per cent after health-care professionals analyzed 22,663 PCR tests ahead of Thursday's update.
There are 32,556 known active cases in Quebec and 984 outbreaks.
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN
One in 72 people in the Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James region has COVID-19, according to officials. It is the most affected region per capita in Quebec, based on recorded PCR tests.
Public health has maintained PCR test eligibility for residents of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities, which make up a large share of people living in that region.
That means a larger proportion of positive cases are being recorded by the government compared to Montreal, for example.
- Who else can get a PCR test?
For its part, Montreal is reporting the largest share of Quebec's active cases (6,282 of 32,556), amounting to one in 330 people.
The health centre for Hochelaga, Mercier-Ouest and Rosemont reported the highest density of active cases. At least one in 286 people is sick.
After Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine has the second highest per capita rate (one in 123) and Côte-Nord (one in 134) is third.
VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
Health-care workers administered 46,057 vaccine doses since Wednesday morning, for a total of over 19 million shots since the campaign began.
While 87 per cent of Quebecers have gotten two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 54 per cent have been boosted, though a third dose is only available to adults.
Public health says unvaccinated people are four times more likely to be hospitalized after catching the virus, compared to someone with two doses, and 9.5 times more likely to need intensive care.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.