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

• On Wednesday, Quebec reported 2,060people in hospital (an increase of 122 from the previous day), including 83in intensive care (an increase of 16 from the previous day).
• The province reported 3,515new cases of COVID-19 and 13deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,007,006confirmed cases, and 14,592people have died.
• The province also reported a total of18,963,907doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered, including 38,839doses in the last 24 hours.
• 91 per cent of the eligible population in the province (agedfive and up) have received one dose of the vaccine;87per cent have received two doses, and 54 per cent have received three doses.

*The new cases are those reported to the Quebec government only. They are believed to be an underrepresentation of the virus's spread, given the limited availability of PCR tests and use of home testing kits.

*Quebec's Health Ministry no longerreportsCOVID-19 numberson the weekend.

As Quebecers get ready for long holiday weekend that is likely to be filled with large gatherings, the province's interim public health director says they should be mindful of limiting the spread of both the coronavirus and the seasonal flu.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Dr. Luc Boileau said an unseasonal wave of influenzahasbegun in Quebec.

He said the province willnot impose limits on the size of gatherings this weekend. Instead, he's asking Quebecers to "manage their risk" and avoid getting together with others if they have symptoms of either COVID-19 or the flu.

The beginning of the flu season coincides with a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and patients.

On Wednesday, Quebec reported 13 newdeaths attributed toCOVID-19 and a 122-patient increasein COVID-related hospitalizations, bringing the total to2,060 the first time hospitalizations have surpassed 2,000 since mid-February.

NACIrecommends boosters for 18+

Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is now strongly recommending that all adults and immunocompromisedchildren aged 12 to 17 get a firstCOVID-19 booster shotas Canada experiences a resurgence of the virus.

"It doesn't matter where you are in Canada right now.I would advise getting that booster shot," said Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam Tuesday.

Dr. Tam said the recent surge across Canada has been driven by the Omicron variant and itsBA.2subvariant.

"We are seeing that resurgence, whether you call it the sixthwave or however many waves there is in your local jurisdiction,it is a resurgence," she said. "And that is why it's important to get that booster now."

WATCH:Tam encourages Canadians to get a COVID-19 booster dose

Tam encourages Canadians to get a COVID-19 booster dose

3 years ago

Duration 2:28

Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam is encouraging Canadians to get their COVID-19 booster shots in response to the pandemic's resurgence.

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