COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Sunday

The latest:

• Quebec has 52,849confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4,978people have died as of Saturday, an increase of 225cases and eightdeaths from a day earlier.
• There are 972people in hospital(a decrease of nine),including 128in intensive care (a decrease of one).Here's aguideto the numbers.
• The application period for the province's program to hire 10,000 orderliesfor the province's long-term care facilities is now closed.
• Movie and TV production will be allowed to resume Monday, provided workers respect physical-distancing rules.
• The province is allowing training forteam sportslike soccer and baseball to resume Monday, but there will be no games, for now, and players will have to practise physical distancing.
• The Fdration autonome de l'enseignement, a union representing 45,000 Quebec teachers, is criticizing the Quebec government for the confusion surrounding its proposed summer school for struggling students.The union says the education sector was already struggling due to budget cuts, and the pandemic response is contributing to a harmful work environment for teachers.
• Starting Monday, daycares outside the greater Montreal region, Joliette and l'piphaniecan have up to 75 percent of their normal capacity. Until now, daycares had to stay under 50 per cent capacity.

As fewer new COVID-19 case and hospitalizations are announced in Quebec, the province is reopening team sports and film and TV production on Monday. Both sectors will have to respect the province's physical-distancing rules and other guidelines.

• More:As more Quebec artists get back to work, province announces $250M for cultural sector
• More:Now isn't the time to demand a refund for kids' sports, organizations say

Quebec's COVID-19data on Sunday includedthe lowest number of new cases, 225, since March 22. It wasthe seventh consecutive day with fewer than 300 confirmed cases reported.

On Saturday, the number of people in hospital dropped to 981, the first time it has fallen below 1,000 since April 19 though it is worth noting that on May 19 Quebec stopped counting patients who were well enough to be released but still waiting to be transferred to safe institutional care.

The numbers are in line with a gradual decline in most indicators that has persisted for around a month, during which time daily testing numbers for Quebec have largely stayed above 10,000 much higher than in the first two months of the pandemic.

• We provide a more detailed view of the data here

Gaspsie business owners gear up for tourist season

Eight business owners have signedLe manifeste gaspsien pour la sant globale, a manifesto and plea to Gaspesians to put out the welcome mat for tourists this summer, despite fears about COVID-19.

Gasp businesses have been gearing up for the possibility of a tourist season since the Quebec government ordered roadblocks restricting access to Eastern Quebec to be lifted May 18.

The police checkpoints were aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19, by allowing only essential travel from other regions.

The roadblocks were lifted on schedule, despite concerns voiced by the regional director of public health, Dr. Yv Bonnier-Viger, about an influx of visitors who may bring the virus with them.

• More: Gasp business owners call on residents to put out the welcome mat this summer

Face masks and the hearing impaired

As Quebec public health recommends wearing masks to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, communicating has become more challenging for those living with hearing loss.

"I was having high anxiety. I have to stay close, but then I was getting other people nervous. I understand they want to keep social distancing," said Katrina Tarondo of a recent trip to the pharmacy.

Since she relies on hearing aids and reading facial expressions to communicate with others, understanding those with their faces covered is difficult.

She's part of a group encouraging people to use clear face shields when they intact with the hearing impaired.

• MORE:As face masks become commonplace, communicating becomes harder for those with hearing loss