Quebec shutting down schools, bars, gyms tonight as COVID-19 cases soar

The Quebec government is shutting down several public settings Monday evening, including bars, taverns, gyms and even schools as cases of COVID-19 are soaring in a pre-holiday spike.

Those establishments will be closed as of 5 p.m. Monday.

"The situation is critical," Quebec health minister Christian Dubé said at a press conference at 1 p.m. Schools will be closed until at least Jan. 10. 

On Monday, the province announced 4,571 more people tested positive for the coronavirus and that nearly 400 people are now in hospital sick with the virus. 

This is a developing story. More to come.