COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know this weekend

• Quebec has 55,863confirmed cases of COVID-19 and5,574people have died, an increase of 79cases and eight deaths.The government says sevenof thosenewly reported deaths took place before June 27.
• There are 371people in hospital, including 26in intensive care. Here's aguide to the numbers.
• The Saint-Jrmeregional hospital has suspended mostvisitsindefinitely due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
• A new case of COVID-19 wasconfirmed in Nunavik. It's the community's first case since May.
• CBC Montreal is collecting stories from Quebecers who have recovered from COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, pleaseget in touch here.
• Having trouble keeping track of what has reopened?Consult our list.

PPE Portrait Project humanizes nurses in full gear

The nurses of the MUHC's Royal Victoria Hospital intensive-care unit are now wearing pictures of themselves so that patients and colleagues can recognize them through their face masks, shields and hospital gowns.

They took inspiration from American artist Mary Beth Heffernan, whoduring the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia spearheaded the PPE PortraitProject there.

The driving force behind the McGill University Health Centre initiative was AdamoDonovan, a PhD student and the co-founder of the ICU Bridge Program, which helps university students volunteer in intensive care.

Despite not being allowed inside the hospital due to COVID-19 restrictions, Donovan workedalongside ICU nurse Caroline Coutu to ensure the nurses could wear portraits of themselves.

• More:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/faces-hidden-ppe-royal-victoria-1.5637084

Outbreak at Saint-Jrme hospital

Public health officials have have banned most visitors from entering the Saint-Jrme regional hospital for an indefinite period due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

The decision to keep all but a handful of visitors out was made for the "health and safety of the most vulnerable people," according to a statement issued Friday by the regional health authority, CISSS des Laurentides.

One visitor at a time will be allowed for end-of-life care patients and palliative care patients, the statement says. As for the birthing unit, spouses are allowed and one parent can accompany their child to the pediatrics unit.

• More: Saint-Jrme hospital suspends visitation due to COVID-19 outbreak

Surprise circus performances coming to Montreal this week

While the 11th edition of Montral Compltement Cirque is technically cancelled due to COVID-19, the spirit of the circus persists with a series of secret, surprise performances in Montreal neighbourhoods.

The "Bonheur Mobile" will roll up to alleys, parks, streets and squares in Saint-Michel, Anjou, St. Henri and the Quartier des Spectacles and other neighbourhoodsover the next week.

Ten Quebec circus performers will come rolling out and put on an hour-and-a-half-long show for any unsuspecting Montrealers who happen to be passing by or looking out the window.

In order to prevent large crowds from gathering,organizerscan't reveal where or when theseshows will take place.

• More:Surprise circus performances to brighten up streets of Montreal this week

Quebec City nuns raise $135Kfor frontline workers

Every day, the nuns at the Augustinian monastery in Old Quebechead to their garden to walk for an hour and show their support for health-care workers.

The nuns, whoseaverage age is80, have been raising money throughonline donationsto support frontline health workers. The money will be used to welcome health-care workers to themonastery's personalized "wellness program."

They are at a greater risk of developing complications from COVID-19 because of their age, and some of the nuns need walkers or canes, butall the sisters continue towalk every day.

"We wanted to manifest our sympathy and our solidarity with them,"said Sister Lise Tanguay, who has lived at the monastery since 1965.

• More:Quebec City nuns raise $135K for health-care workers through daily strolls