Quebec COVID-19 numbers skyrocket again with 2,736 new cases

Quebec reported a significant spike in new coronavirus cases Thursday for the second day in a row with 2,736 new infections.

The province also reported five more people have died due to the virus, bringing that total to 11,627.

It's a return to numbers not seen since Jan. 8, 2021, as the province was battling the peak of its most infectious coronavirus wave.

What separates now from back then are significantly lower hospitalizations rates. The same day, there were nearly 1,400 people in hospital with serious symptoms of COVID-19, according to Quebec's Public Health Institute (INSPQ). 

On Thursday, Quebec reported 305 people were in hospital care, an overall decrease of four compared to the day before.