Quebec’s jump in COVID-19 cases linked to new variants, top doctor says
Global News
The update from Quebec's public health director comes as the province reported 1,716 new cases based on PCR testing results and four deaths related to COVID-19.
Summer may be underway but Quebecers need to exercise caution as COVID-19 indicators are on the rise, the province’s public health director announced Wednesday.
Dr. Luc Boileau gave an update on the situation, saying that the uptick in infections was foreseeable as sanitary restrictions were lifted.
Quebec is also dealing with the arrival of new variants of the novel coronavirus, which Boileau said are more transmissible. The majority of new cases are linked to the new variants, he added.
“We’re asking people to be careful,” Boileau told reporters in Quebec City, adding that wearing a mask is still recommended.
The update comes as the health department on Wednesday reported 1,716 new cases based on PCR testing results and four deaths related to COVID-19.
There are 1,260 people hospitalized with the disease as of Wednesday, a rise of 34 compared with the previous day. This includes 35 patients in intensive care units.
In Quebec, the daily tally of infections and hospitalizations have been on the upswing. For example, the province counted 532 new cases and 1,029 hospitalizations on June 19.
A little more than a week later, the province’s daily tally on June 27 included 1,200 new cases and more than 1,200 hospital patients linked to COVID-19.
