COVID-19 cases in Quebec skyrocket to 4,571 as Omicron variant takes hold
Global News
Quebec has set another daily record for new COVID-19 cases with more hospitalizations as the province announces new restrictions from the Omicron variant.
Quebec is reporting 4,571 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths on Monday, as new measures aimed to limit the spread of the Omicron variant come into effect.
Monday’s total smashes the old one-day record for new cases in Quebec by 725. On Sunday, the province had set a new daily record of 3,846 cases.
Stores, gyms, bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and places of worship are now required to operate at 50 per cent capacity because of so many new cases.
Quebec Premier François Legault announced the new restrictions last week amid a surge in cases and modelling predictions that showed an already fragile health system could be overwhelmed in a matter of weeks.
Hospitalizations increased by 21 over the previous day with 49 new patients admitted and 28 discharged. Of the 397 pandemic-related hospitalizations, 82 are in intensive care for an increase of three.
In addition to the measures aimed at reducing contacts, Quebec is accelerating its rollout of third dose booster shots. As of Monday, Quebecers aged 65 and over can book an appointment for a third dose.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé said the Clic Santé booking website had been experiencing problems earlier in the day on Monday as Quebecers scrambled for an appointment.
Those issues have since been resolved.
