Quebec reports 509 COVID-19 cases as some restrictions were relaxed | The Canadian News

Quebec reported 509 new COVID-19 cases and one more virus-related death on Monday, as various restrictions are being relaxed across the province.

High school students are getting a break and are no longer required to wear a mask while in the classroom. However, the use of masks is still mandatory in common areas.

The dance and karaoke ban will also be lifted on Monday.

To date, the province has recorded 434,849 infections and 417,519 recoveries, bringing the number of active cases to 5,784.

Hospitalizations related to the pandemic are increasing compared to the previous day, with 21 patients admitted and eight discharged for a total of 202. Of those, 42 are in intensive care.

The latest data from the Quebec Ministry of Health shows that the risk of infection is 4.4 times higher in people who are not vaccinated, compared to those who are adequately vaccinated.

Of the new infections reported Monday, 326 were in unvaccinated Quebecers.

Not being vaccinated also carries a higher risk of hospitalization, 15.6 times higher than someone who is fully vaccinated.

In the last 24 hours, 4,483 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered for more than 13.4 million doses administered in Quebec since the immunization campaign began.

Health officials have said they are ready to implement vaccination for children between the ages of five and 11 pending approval of a vaccine by Health Canada.

Last week, Health Canada said a decision would be made within the next two weeks.

To date, 11,546 Quebecers have died from complications related to the virus.