Quebec reports 1,367 new COVID-19 cases; 32 per cent of kids 5-11 now have a shot
Quebec continued its run of high daily COVID-19 infections, reporting 1,367 new cases Wednesday.
The province saw two new deaths and a slight uptick in hospitalizations: there are seven more people overall in hospital, after 32 were admitted and 25 were discharged.
One more person is in intensive care, for a total of 59.
The number of active cases is soaring, to 11,140 as of Wednesday.
The positivity rate for all the province's COVID-19 tests, after going up to 4.3 per cent on Sunday, was back down to 4 per cent on Monday, the last day for which data is available.
32 PER CENT OF KIDS 5 TO 11 VACCINATED
Vaccinations have continued at a fast clip as many parents rush to get their young children a first shot. Just over 30,000 shots were reported on Wednesday, with almost half of them given to kids aged five to 11.
That brings the portion of partially vaccinated children in this age group to 32 per cent across the province.
Boosters are also contributing to the high numbers, with more than 12,000 third doses newly given out.
That number will likely climb soon, as Quebec announced Tuesday that it is broadening eligibility for booster shots to include people with long-term illness, pregnant Quebecers and others, newly including about a million people in total.
In January, booster shots will also be available to those 60 and up.
As of Wednesday, unvaccinated people in Quebec are 15.9 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than fully vaccinated people.
Overall, across the province, the group with the lowest vaccination rate is still people aged 18 to 39, though this group's rate has kept slowly increasing, going from 82 per cent vaccinated to 83 per cent in less than a week.
EASTERN TOWNSHIPS CASES UP; NUNAVIK DOWN
Among the regions, the Eastern Townships continues to stand out, with its infection rate now at 285 cases per 100,000 people. It now has the second-worst infection rate among all public health units in Canada, according to tracking by an Ontario statistician.
Nunavik, while still the highest in Quebec and the country, has seen its first good news in more than two months, as the infection rate has dropped sharply in the last few days.
It now stands at 416 active cases per 100,000 people, only about a third of what it was at the peak of the region's crisis.
Montreal's active case rate has stayed fairly stable over the last several days, currently standing just below 160 cases per 100,000. Laval is on a more marked upswing and has now reached a rate of 187.
Other regions with noticeable upward trends are Chaudiere-Appalaches (202), Mauricie et Centre-du-Quebec (126), Lanaudiere (130), Laurentides (127) and Monteregie (102).
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 has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games 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.