Live COVID Updates: ‘We are not going to give up the battle against this damn virus,’ Dubé tells Quebecers

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Updated throughout the day on Thursday, December 23. Questions / Comments: [email protected]

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Major updates

9:50 am

‘We are not going to abandon the battle against this damn virus,’ Dubé tells Quebecers

With the province set to report around 9,000 new COVID cases, Health Minister Christian Dubé posted a message to Quebecers on Facebook this morning.

He urged people to follow the rules, limit contacts and use free rapid tests if possible because screening clinics are overwhelmed.

An expert:

It is not true that we are going to give up the battle against this damn virus.

In the two years that we have been fighting, we always ended up winning.

A year ago we began to receive the first vaccines.

And now, we are about to receive the first truly effective drugs to prevent hospitalizations.

We will all fight together.

Cheer up everyone!

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9:40 am

Aislin

9:35 am

Laval-area Liberal MP censured for defying his own party’s advice on nonessential travel

A Liberal MP has been censured by his party’s top whip for defying advice not to travel out of the country unless travel is essential, The Canadian Press reports.

Government leader Steven MacKinnon issued a statement Wednesday saying he is “deeply disappointed” that Liberal MP Yves Robillard traveled outside of Canada, in violation of the party’s instructions.

The whip says Liberal MPs were told to avoid nonessential international travel as the COVID-19 Omicron variant increases their grip.

The instruction reflects the government’s advice to members of the public to try to curb the spread of the highly contagious COVID variant.

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MacKinnon said that although Robillard is fully vaccinated, the parliamentarian’s trip during the parliamentary holidays was not deemed essential and, as a result, he will be removed from his duties as a member of the standing committee for national defense.

MacKinnon, who did not mention Robillard’s fate or the reasons for the trip, intends to speak with the MP about his decision to leave Canada when Parliament returns.

Robillard, who represents Marc-Aurèle-Fortin in Laval, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

09:30 am

Quebec trusts people to do the right thing despite COVID surge, experts say

After announcing some new restrictions on Wednesday even as COVID-19 cases surpassed record levels, the Quebec government is now counting on people to understand the seriousness of the situation and do whatever is necessary, experts believe.

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And, almost two years after the pandemic, they feel that the shift in focus may bring better results than trying to impose even more stringent measures during the holiday period.

Read our full story, by Jesse Feith.

09:30 am

How can Montréalns protect themselves from Omicron?

The Montreal Gazette spoke with medical experts for advice on the best way to avoid contracting the virus, what to do if the result is positive, and what the future may bring.

Read our full story, by René Bruemmer.

09:30 am

Opinion: Now is not the time for Legault to play Santa

“The restrictions should have been instituted before this week. Vaccines should have been implemented much more quickly, particularly boosters, which are believed to offer significant protection against Omicron. “

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Read the full Bill Brownstein column.

09:30 am

Opinion: Looking Back on a Year of Perseverance

“We are staring at the holidays and accepting the re-imposition of restrictions. It may seem that we have returned to the starting point. This is very discouraging, of course, but we only need to look at where we were a year ago to know that we will get through this challenging time. “

Read the full column by Fariha Naqvi-Mohamed.

9:15 am

The situation in Canada

Here is the growth rate of cases per 100,000 people during the last seven days, through the latest epidemiological update from the federal government .

9:15 am

Frequently Asked Questions: Who can get their third dose in Quebec? And when?

Quebec is expanding eligibility for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

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Here’s what you need to know about the province’s backup plan.

9:15 am

A Guide to Quebec’s COVID-19 Vaccine Passport

The Quebec Vaccine Passport is mandatory for people over the age of 13 who want to access services and activities that the provincial government deems non-essential, including bars, restaurants, gyms, festivals, and sporting events.

Quebecers can use a smartphone app to check their vaccination status or simply carry their QR code on paper.

The application is available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play. .

We’ve published two guides to passports: one looks at how to download and configure the app, and another answers key questions about the system, including how, when, and why.

You can find more information on the Quebec government website: one page has details on how the system works, and another has a list of places where a vaccine passport will be required .

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9:15 am

A Guide to COVID-19 Vaccines in Quebec

Local health authorities have established vaccination centers in Montreal.

You can book appointments through the Clic Santé website or by phone at 1-877-644-4545.

Quebecers can also visit AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer Vaccine Clinics Walk-In .

Here are the practical details on getting vaccinated, by Katherine Wilton. Your guide includes the age groups you are targeting, how to book appointments, and directions to vaccination centers.

9:15 am

Here are the current pandemic restrictions in Montreal and Quebec

We regularly update our guide on what services are open, closed or changed in Montreal and Quebec.

You can read it here.

9:15 am

This is where Montréal’s can get tested today

Montrealers can be screened in test centers all over the island.

For other parts of Quebec, see this page on the Quebec government site .

08:30 am

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Read my previous live blogs here.