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
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.