Quebec reports 478 new COVID-19 cases; Nunavik in crisis
Quebec's active COVID-19 cases are staying relatively low overall, with the province reporting just 3,981 as of Thursday.
That number includes 478 newly confirmed cases. Five more people have died due to the virus.
Nineteen people were admitted to hospital and 22 were discharged. The total number of people hospitalized is now 254, down three from Wednesday.
Nine people were admitted to ICU and eight discharged from that unit and likely back to regular hospital care, making a total increase of one.
Over the last month, data shows that unvaccinated Quebecers are 19.2 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 and six times more likely to be infected.
On Tuesday, the last day reported, Quebec processed 32,889 COVID-19 tests.
NEW VACCINATIONS HIGHEST AMONG 30-49 GROUP
New vaccinations are still hitting the over-10,000 mark at least once a week, and on Thursday, the province reported adding 14,376 new shots in the last 24 hours, about 1,000 of which had been given out previously but not officially tallied.
That brings Quebec to a total rate of 90.5 per cent of the eligible population vaccinated with at least one dose.
People in their 30s and 40s have consistently accounted for the biggest share of new vaccinations in the last stretch, with 22 per cent of Thursday's newly reported doses going to this group.
NUNAVIK IN CRISIS, OTHER REGIONS STABLE
For the first time in the pandemic, the northern Quebec region of Nunavik is in a serious COVID-19 crisis, with most of its towns in lockdown and under curfew, and non-essential travel banned.
The current rate of active infections there is 902 cases per 100,000 population.
No other region of Quebec currently has a rate above 80 per 100,000. The highest is Laval at 75, followed by the Eastern Townships at 67, Chaudiere-Appalaches at 66, and Montreal at 59.
Correction
An earlier version of this story contained a miscalculation of the rate of active cases in Nunavik. The rate is almost one infection for every 100 people. CTV regrets the error.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.