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
Intelligence memo flagged possible 'violent revenge' after Ottawa protest shutdown
Newly disclosed documents show federal intelligence officials warned decision-makers that the police dispersal of 'Freedom Convoy' protesters in Ottawa last winter could prompt an 'opportunistic attack' against a politician or symbol of government.

The return of Zellers: Hudson's Bay to resurrect Canadian discount retail chain
Canadian department store Zellers hopes to make a comeback next year, a decade after the discount chain shuttered most of its locations.
Proportion of French speakers declines nearly everywhere in Canada, including Quebec
The proportion of Canadians who predominantly speak French at home declined in all provinces and territories except Yukon between 2016 and 2021, according to the latest census release.
Why is ArriveCan still mandatory, and what is Ottawa's plan for the app?
The glitch-prone app touted as an efficient border tool early in the pandemic has become a punching bag for critics who question its utility -- but ArriveCan may be here to stay.
Trump's angry words spur warnings of real violence: officials
A growing number of ardent Donald Trump supporters seem ready to strike back against the FBI or others who they believe go too far in investigating the former U.S. president.
Increased loneliness, isolation a side effect of inflation for Canadian seniors
Canadian seniors are being forced to make tough choices, cutting out frills and nice-to-haves in the face of near 40-year-high inflation rates. But older adults also face a unique, less-talked-about challenge — the increased social isolation that experts say often occurs as a result of high inflation.
Large fire in central London railway arch now under control: fire service
A large fire that broke out in a railway arch in Southwark, central London, on Wednesday morning was under control by midday, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.
Warnings issued for B.C.'s South Coast amid brief heat wave
Much of the B.C.’s South Coast is under a heat warning with temperatures expected to soar.
Majority of Canadians say sexual misconduct is a big issue in youth hockey: survey
Amid allegations of sexual assaults involving members of past Canadian men’s world junior hockey teams, Canadians say sexual misconduct remains a concerning issue within the sport’s culture.