With another COVID climb, Quebec health minister calls news conference for Thursday morning
UPDATE: Get the latest update on this story here.
With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on the rise in Quebec, public health officials have called a news conference for Thursday morning.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé and public health director Dr. Luc Boileau are holding a news conference Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
A spokesperson for the health minister confirmed Dubé won’t be announcing any new health measures or new mask mandates.
He will, though, tell Quebecers to be careful, especially if they’re attending gatherings, and in particular for people over 60 years old or who are immunocompromised.
Dubé will also address the question of the fourth dose of vaccine, reiterating public health’s message last week that all adults can get a COVID-19 booster if their last vaccine was more than three months ago, or they had COVID-19 more than three months ago.
Public health is advising those in an at-risk group to get the fourth dose.
HOSPITALIZATIONS CLIMBING
COVID-19 hospitalizations are continuing their upward trajectory in Quebec, with the health ministry reporting an increase of 56 -- that's 183 entries and 127 discharges -- in 24 hours.
The province also reported 13 new COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, bringing the total in Quebec to 15,630 since the pandemic began.
There are currently 40 people in intensive care, an increase of one from the previous day. Due to a "compilation problem," data on ICU admissions and discharges was not available Wednesday, according to the Quebec government website.
NEW CASES
The province also logged 1,839 new cases of the virus, but this number is not reflective of the actual situation as PCR testing is not available to the general public.
In addition, 642 more positive rapid tests were self-declared. A total of 240,214 rapid tests have been recorded since Quebec opened its online portal.
Quebec health-care workers administered an additional 7,130 doses of the vaccine. So far, Quebecers have received 20,078,507 shots.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.