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COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Wednesday

The provincehas announced plans to make the vaccine available to those with chronic illnesses as well as those with at-risk jobs, and Montreal's public health director has just given an update.

Vaccination plans announced for those with chronic illnesses, essential workers

CBC News Posted: Apr 07, 2021 6:26 AM EDT | Last Updated: April 7, 2021

Gyms will close in the greater Montreal area and older high-school students will only attend class in-person on alternate days. All extracurricular school activities will stop. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada)

Quebec reported1,270new caseson Wednesday and eightmore deaths.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been319,802confirmed cases and10,709people have died.
There are 543people in hospital (an increase of 29), including 123in intensive care (an increase of two).
43,631 dosesofvaccine were administered in the last 24 hours for atotal of 1,636,310sinceDec. 14.

Health Minister Christian Dubhas announced plans to make the vaccine available to those with chronic illnesses as well as those with at-risk jobs.

School staff, daycare workers, police, prison guards and other essential workers who work in Montreal will be able to make appointments on the Clic-Sant website as of Friday, while people age 60 and younger who have high-risk chronic illnesses and receive treatments or consult their doctors in hospitals will be vaccinated as of Monday.

The minister also said thatQuebecers over the age of 55 will be eligible to receive the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine starting Thursday, without having to schedule an appointment.

Quebec to start vaccinating essential workers, people with chronic illnesses

A number of new restrictions are in place in the Montreal area. Gymswill have to close, less than two weeks after being allowed to reopen and students in Grade 9, 10 and 11 will go back to a hybrid learning model.

Quebec tightens restrictions across province to prevent upsurge of COVID-19 variants

Here are some of the other new public health restrictions announced on Tuesday:

Starting Thursday, religious services in red zones will have their maximum capacity reduced from 250 to 25people. They will be capped at 100 people in orange zones.
Starting Thursday, travelling from a red or orange zone to a yellow zone will be prohibited.
Starting Monday, post-secondary education will be online only.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Fever.
New or worsening cough.
Difficulty breathing.
Sudden loss of smell without a stuffy nose.
Gastrointestinal issues (such as nausea, diarrhea).

If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks that you call18776444545to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic.

To reserve an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can go on the online portal quebec.ca/covidvaccine. You can also call 1-877-644-4545.

Quebec government reminders for preventing the spread of COVID-19:

Wash your hands frequently.
Avoid touching your face.
Wear a mask or face coveringwhen physical distancing is not possible. Wearing a mask is mandatory in enclosed public spaces across the province.
Stay at least two metres away from other people as much as possible.
Self-isolate for 14 days after returning from a stay outside the country.

You can find information on COVID-19 in the provincehereand information on the situation in Montrealhere.

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