Quebec reported 9,397 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday and six more deaths.
The daily COVID-19 total is another new record for the province.
Pandemic hospitalizations increased again with 92 new patients admitted and 64 discharged, representing an increase of 28 compared to the previous day.
Of the 473 people hospitalized, 91 are in intensive care.
On Wednesday, Quebec Prime Minister François Legault reiterated pleas for people who are not vaccinated to get vaccinated.
He said that while they represent less than 10 percent of the population, they make up 50 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations.
“You are putting yourself at risk by not being vaccinated and putting our hospitals at risk,” Legault said during his update on the pandemic.
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COVID-19: Quebec Tightens Restrictions for Boxing Day, 9,000 New Cases Expected Thursday
The latest data released by the Quebec Ministry of Health shows that people who are not vaccinated or who do not receive the first dose of a vaccine in less than 14 days have 13.6 times the risk of being hospitalized for the virus than people who are fully vaccinated.
To date, 84.3 percent of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The exponential growth in cases and increased hospitalizations prompted the Quebec government to announce additional restrictions on private meetings on Wednesday.
Starting December 26, a limit of six people or two family bubbles will be allowed to gather indoors. The same rule will apply per table in restaurants.
New measures in long-term care, nursing homes
New rules are also being established for long-term care facilities and private nursing homes, known as RPAs.
Rather than submitting a negative COVID-19 test dating back less than 72 hours, visitors will need to show their vaccine passports.
Between now and Saturday (Christmas Day), only two people at a time will be able to visit loved ones in a nursing home, for a maximum of four per day. It will be reduced to just two visitors per day starting on Sunday (Saint Stephen’s Day).
READ MORE: Quebec closes schools, bars and gyms as COVID-19 cases rise
In long-term care homes, only one visitor will be allowed at a time for a maximum of two per day.
Health officials said the new measures are being put in place to protect the people who are most vulnerable.
Legault said Wednesday that 70 percent of people hospitalized for COVID are over the age of 60.
To date, Quebec has recorded 511,095 infections, 457,630 recoveries, and 11,658 deaths.
There are currently 41,807 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
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