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

• Quebec reported 12,833 new cases ofCOVID-19 on Tuesday and 15new deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 559,269confirmed cases and11,683people have died.
• There are 702 people in hospital (an increase of 88 from the previous day),including 115 in intensive care (an increase of six).
• The province has administered 15,005,169 doses ofCOVID-19 vaccines as of Tuesday.
• 89per cent of the eligible population in the province (ages five and up) hasreceived one dose of vaccine, 82per cent hasreceived two doses, and 13 per cent have received three doses.

*Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays. It will not be publishing daily COVID-19 data on Dec. 24, 25, and 26, as well as Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and 2.

Health Minister Christian Dubsays that with hospitalizations and COVID-related absences rising, the province is changing its policy for when some workers need to stay home.

More than 700 people are currently hospitalized with the disease. Over the last week, the province increased the number of available COVIDbeds, causing delays to other procedures deemed non-urgent.

Dub announced today that some health-care workers who test positive for the virus no longer need to isolate. He said decisions would be made on on a "case-by-case" basis.

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He said the province is still learning about how severe the majority of Omicron variant cases will be, and urged all Quebecers to get vaccinated.

Widened scope for third doses

The health minister also announced Quebec is widening the scope of its third-dose campaign.

Appointments will be available to new age groups next month, starting Jan. 4 for those ages 55-59. The appointments will open to a new age group every few days until Jan. 21. Currently those ages 60 and older can book their appointment for a third dose online.

The goal is to vaccinate between two and three million people every month, and have administered third doses to every eligible Quebecer who wants one by March.

The federal minister for emergency preparedness, Bill Blair, tweeted Tuesday afternoon that reinforcements are coming for Quebec's vaccination campaign.

"Our officials are engaging with their provincial counterparts to clarify the specific needs, and we will share more details as they are confirmed," Blair wrote.

Dub said at the news conference that Ottawa had indicated it may be able to provide around 300 Red Cross members to assist with vaccinations.

Major outbreak at CHSLDMarguerite-Rocheleau

CHSLDMarguerite-Rocheleau a long-term care residence for seniors is reporting a major outbreak among staff and employees.

As of Tuesday, the facility, located in Saint-Hubert in theMontrgie, is reporting92active cases. Some 61residents and 31staff are infected, and there have been two deaths.

The outbreak began on Dec. 22. Paul Arbec,president ofArbec Health Group,the company that runs the residence, said affected residents will be placed ina "hot zone."

"All the people who aren't doing well are the unvaccinated people," said Arbec, adding that80 to 95 per cent are without symptoms at all.

He believes the virus entered the CHSLDthrough community transmission via visitors and employees.

According to a statement from Arbec Health Group, visits to the facility are not recommended "given the presence of variants among reported cases."

Tighter restrictions

The province has capped private gatherings at six people, or two family bubbles, and restaurants are now also limited to serving groups of six, or two family bubbles down from 10 people and three households.

Bars, gyms, movie theatres, concert venues and spas remain closed until further notice.

Kahnawake is closing restaurants, hair salons, and other non-essential businesses until further notice. Private gatherings are limited to 12 people and it's recommended to use rapid tests and wear masks, even inside, when around those outside your dwelling.

Lloyd Phillips,Kahnawake's commissioner of public safety,said the testing clinic has been busy and there are currently 78 active COVID-19 cases in the community, with about 10 new cases per day.

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