- On Thursday, Quebec reported 1,821 people in hospital (a decrease of 26 from the previous day), including 60 in intensive care (a decrease of two from the previous day).
- The province reported 767 new cases of COVID-19 and 25 deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic there have been 1,055,277 confirmed cases and 15,226 deaths.
- The province also reported 6,412 health workers absent for COVID-related reasons.
- 91% of the province’s eligible population (five years and older) have received at least one dose of the vaccine; 54 percent have received a third dose and 12 percent have received a fourth dose.
*New cases are those reported to the Quebec government only. They are believed to be an underrepresentation of the spread of the virus, given the limited availability of PCR tests and the use of home test kits.
Today is the last day of Quebec’s mandatory mask mandate.
Starting tonight at midnight, Quebecers will not have to wear masks in most indoor public spaces. The province’s mandatory mask mandate has been in place since July 2020, for a total of 21 consecutive months, but it officially ends on Saturday, making Quebec the latest province to drop its mandate.
Most indoor spaces in a Quebecer’s daily life will no longer require a mask, including grocery stores, gyms and restaurants. Masks will still be required on public transport and in hospital settings.
Montreal ends state of emergency
The city of Montreal will not extend its state of emergency over COVID-19, the administration announced Wednesday.
The state of emergency, Montreal’s second during the pandemic, has been in effect since last December. However, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante’s administration will allow it to expire on May 19.
The state of emergency is only in effect for a period of five days, at which point it must be renewed. The city renewed it for the 30th time on Wednesday.
The city said the improving COVID-19 situation, coupled with high vaccination rates, means it no longer needs emergency powers.
Plante said in December that the state of emergency would be used to quickly procure protective equipment for the city’s essential workers and prepare sites and facilities to accommodate Montreal’s homeless population.
The lifting of the state of emergency comes as general restrictions in the province are lifted. The province’s indoor mask mandate is lifted on Saturday.
Public health on who should get boosters
As the COVID-19 situation in Quebec continues to improve and the mask mandate ends tomorrow, the province’s acting director of public health has explained who should get their first and second booster shots.
Dr. Luc Boileau said that third doses, or the first booster injection, are recommended for all adults, including pregnant women and healthcare workers. He said it’s also recommended for teens ages 12 to 17 who are at high risk for complications from COVID-19, or those who live in congregate settings.
However, fourth doses, or the second booster injection, are only recommended for specific groups of people who are at high risk of severe COVID. Boileau suggested that it would be better to wait until later this summer, in case there is a resurgence of COVID in the fall.
As of last week, all adults became eligible for the fourth dose, but Boileau said there are no recommendations for the general public to get one.
People are advised to wait at least three months from the last dose of the vaccine or COVID-19 infection to receive a booster shot.
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What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever.
- New or worsening cough.
- labored breathing
- Sudden loss of smell without nasal congestion.
- Gastrointestinal problems (such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).
- Throat pain
- Widespread muscle pain.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- loss of appetite
You can find information about COVID-19 in the province here and information on the situation in Montreal here.
Reference-www.cbc.ca