The COVID-19 pandemic continued its march on the summits in Quebec.
According to data released Saturday by the Ministry of Health, 17,122 new cases have been identified since the previous report. This is the fifth day in a row that the record for new daily cases has been shattered.
Authorities have identified 620,190 cases since the start of the pandemic.
The average for the past seven days is 12,837, an increase of almost 56% since December 26.
“My father, a ship captain, used to say that in rough seas you have to keep the bow of the ship in the wind to fight against the wave. Even if many are seasick, you have to keep your spirits up. The good weather always comes back ”, commented the Minister of Health Christian Dubé on Twitter, after the publication of the data by Health Quebec, Saturday morning.
Eight new deaths were added to the death toll. We now deplore 11,714 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its appearance in Quebec.
The situation continues to darken in hospitals where the number of patients has increased from 1063 to 1161. The table from Santé Quebec shows 233 admissions and 146 discharges. There are 153 people in intensive care, two more than the day before.
The number of active outbreaks has remained relatively stable, increasing from 1,522 to 1,523.
A total of 58,403 analyzes were performed on December 30. For the first time in a long time, the positivity rate fell seven-tenths of a percentage point to 31.0.
No fewer than 29,177 doses of vaccine have been administered over the past 24 hours, including 27,740 booster doses and only 336 first doses to children aged 5 to 11 years.
The percentage of people aged 5 years and over who received a first dose is still around 89%. It is also reported that approximately 82% of the Quebec population received a second dose and that approximately 17% received a booster dose.
The Legault government announced Thursday the return of the curfew and the ban on private gatherings from Friday, New Year’s Eve. Restaurant dining rooms are closed, and indoor sports and home gatherings are prohibited.
Elementary and secondary schools, CEGEPs and universities will remain closed until January 17.