Quebec reports 44 new COVID-19 deaths, highest rise in a year
Quebec saw a sharp increase in deaths due to COVID-19 on Saturday with the province reporting that 44 more people have died due to the disease.
The last time the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ) reported that many deaths was Jan. 27, 2021 when 45 deaths were reported. The INSPQ numbers differ to the daily COVID-19 numbers as further investigation results in adjustments.
Saturday's death numbers are the highest since the vaccination campaign began in the province.
HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO CLIMB UPWARDS
COVID-19 hospitalizations also continued to rise in Quebec with the total number increasing by 163 to 2,296. Of those, 245 are in intensive care wards, an increase of 16.
The health ministry reports that 422 more people checked into the hospital for treatment and 259 were discharged. Of the new patients, 255 were double vaccinated more than two weeks prior to checking in, 153 were unvaccinated or received a first dose less than two weeks prior and 14 received a single dose more than two weeks prior to checking into the hospital.
Of those 31 patients transferred or admitted to ICUs, 20 were double vaccinated and 11 were unvaccinated.
The ministry says you are 7.6 times more likely to require hospitalization if unvaccinated.
Of the total population of Quebec (8,547,833 people), 6,498,098 people have received both doses of vaccine, 1,496,740 people are unvaccinated or received one dose of vaccine less than 14 days prior, and 552,995 people have their first dose more than two weeks prior.
ONE-IN-FOUR TESTING POSITIVE
The province also reported 15,928 more infections from 59,499 samples meaning the positivity rate is 24.5 per cent.
Public health officials note the actual number of new infections is probably much higher as they have asked people with mild symptoms to stay home and isolate to allow those in specific domains to access PCR testing.
There are 1,150 active COVID-19 outbreaks in the province being monitored.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.