- On Wednesday, Quebec reported 2,176 people in hospital (down 19 from the previous day), including 78 in intensive care (up two from the previous day).
- The province reported 1,630 new COVID-19 cases and 30 deaths.
- Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 1,047,462 confirmed cases and 15,066 people have died.
- The province also reported 7,586 health workers absent for COVID-related reasons.
- 91 per cent of the eligible population in the province (aged five and over) received at least one dose of the vaccine; 54% received a third dose and 10% received a fourth dose.
* The new cases are those reported only to the Quebec government. They are considered to be underrepresented in the spread of the virus, given the limited availability of PCR tests and the use of home test kits.
* The Quebec Ministry of Health no longer reports data on COVID-19 over the weekend.
As of May 14, Quebec residents will no longer be required to wear masks in most public places indoors.
Dr Luke Boylo, the province’s interim director of public health, said it was a good time to get rid of the mask’s mandate, citing a declining trend in COVID-19 hospitalizations and the number of health workers absent due to coronavirus.
Boileau has issued a recommendation to remove the masks, which the Quebec government has since adopted.
Wearing a mask will still be mandatory in healthcare facilities and public transport.
As for vaccines, Quebecers aged 18 and over can now book a fourth dose by going to Clicsanté.
Life expectancy in Quebec is increasing
The announcement of the mask came the same day when the Quebec Statistical Institute announced that life expectancy in the province had increased to 83 years in 2021, following a “significant reduction” in 2020 due to COVID-19.
The life expectancy of Quebec residents reached 82.9 years in 2019, before falling to 82.3 years in 2020.
The Provincial Statistics Agency reported that the province’s death rate was 4.5% between the start of the pandemic and March 12, 2022.
This means 6,400 more deaths than were normally expected during this period, well below the more than 15,000 COVID-19 deaths reported by the province. Boalo said at least some of these deaths were people who had the disease when they died, but for whom it was not the main cause of death.
Health Canada is reviewing the COVID-19 vaccine for young children
Health Canada is reviewing Moderna’s Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for babies and children under six.
The news comes after the biotech company on Thursday asked US regulators to allow low doses of its vaccine for children between six months and five years old. The dosage is a quarter of what adults receive, delivered in two doses.
To date, Health Canada has approved mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 only for children over five years of age.
Just over 41% of children aged 5 to 11 are vaccinated in Canada, compared to just over 84% of children aged 12-17, according to the Public Health Agency.
Leading stories for COVID-19
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever.
- New or worsening cough.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Sudden loss of odor without a stuffy nose.
- Gastrointestinal problems (such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).
- Sore throat
- Generalized muscle pain.
- headache.
- fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks you to call 1‑877‑644‑4545 to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic.
To book an appointment for a vaccine against COVID-19, you can go to the online portal quebec.ca/covidvaccine. You can also call 1-877-644-4545.
You can find information about COVID-19 in the province here and information about the situation in Montreal here.
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