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
Trudeau's 2024: Did the PM become less popular this year?
Justin Trudeau’s numbers have been relatively steady this calendar year, but they've also been at their worst, according to tracking data from CTV News pollster Nik Nanos.
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
What we know about the suspect behind the German Christmas market attack
Germany on Saturday was still in shock and struggling to understand the suspect behind the attack in the city of Magdeburg.
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
Overheated immigration system needed 'discipline' infusion: minister
An 'overheated' immigration system that admitted record numbers of newcomers to the country has harmed Canada's decades-old consensus on the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, as he reflected on the changes in his department in a year-end interview.
School custodian stages surprise for Kitchener, Ont. students ahead of holiday break
He’s no Elf on the Shelf, but maybe closer to Ward of the Board.
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.