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

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


World News

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

New provincial guidelines highlight value of in-school learning for those who aren’t at highest risk. Meanwhile, new benefits are introduced and EI is being revamped. Here’s what you need to know.’There’s a shortage of educational specialists, psychologists, specialists,’ said Heidi Yetman, president of a union that represents 8,000 English-language teachers. ‘It’s not just teachers we’re…

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

New provincial guidelines highlight value of in-school learning for those who aren't at highest risk. Meanwhile, new benefits are introduced and EI is being revamped. Here's what you need to know.

‘There’s a shortage of educational specialists, psychologists, specialists,' said Heidi Yetman, president of a union that represents 8,000 English-language teachers. ‘It’s not just teachers we’re worried about — it’s the whole system that we’re worried about.' (Frederick Florin/AFP via Getty Images)

  • Quebec reported 93 new cases of COVID-19 Friday and one new death in the last 24 hours. Two more deaths that occurred between Aug. 14 and Aug. 20 were also reported. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 61,495 confirmed cases and 5,733 people have died.
  • There are 136 people in hospital (a decrease of 10 since yesterday), including 23 in intensive care (a decrease of two). Here's a guide to the numbers.
  • CBC Montreal is collecting stories from Quebecers who have recovered from COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, please get in touch.
  • Having trouble keeping track of what has reopened? Consult our list.

A group of Quebec parents filed a legal challenge against the provincial government Friday, arguing they should be allowed to decide whether to keep their children home or not, without losing their spot in school.

The parents, represented by constitutional lawyer Julius Grey, are demanding an online schooling option for families — an option that is currently available only for children with medical exemptions and only if they have a doctor's note.  

Grey and the plaintiffs claim the regulations are unconstitutional, infringing on, among other things, the charter “right to life, liberty and security of the person.” 

The legal challenge came as Quebec's Health Ministry issued strict new guidelines for doctors issuing medical exemption notes. 

Top COVID-19 stories today

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? 

  • Fever. 
  • New or worsening cough. 
  • Difficulty breathing. 
  • Sudden loss of smell without a stuffy nose. 

If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks that you call 1‑877‑644‑4545 to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic. 

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Quebec government reminders for preventing the spread of COVID-19: 

  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Wear a mask or face covering when physical distancing is not possible. Wearing a mask is mandatory in enclosed public spaces across the province.
  • Stay at least two metres away from other people as much as possible. 
  • Self-isolate for 14 days after returning from a stay outside the country.

You can find information on COVID-19 in the province here and information on the situation in Montreal here

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World News

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

Public health officials have have banned most visitors from entering the Saint-Jérôme regional hospital for an indefinite period due to a COVID-19 outbreak.People wear face masks as they talk on a city bench on Canada Day in Montreal. Face masks and coverings are strongly recommended by Quebec officials. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)Quebec has 55,682 confirmed cases…

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

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

People wear face masks as they talk on a city bench on Canada Day in Montreal. Face masks and coverings are strongly recommended by Quebec officials. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

  • Quebec has 55,682 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5,560 people have died, an increase of 89 cases and 19 deaths. The government says 12 of those newly reported deaths took place before June 25.
  • There are 392 people in hospital, including 31 in intensive care. Here's a guide to the numbers.
  • The Saint-Jérôme regional hospital, in Saint-Jérôme, Que., about 60 kilometres north of downtown Montreal, has suspend visitation indefinitely due to a COVID-19 outbreak
  • Nunavik sees new case of COVID-19, its first since May
  • Masks are now mandatory in Côte Saint-Luc‘s indoor public spaces
  • CBC Montreal is collecting stories from Quebecers who have recovered from COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, please get in touch here.
  • Having trouble keeping track of what has reopened? Consult our list.

The COVID-19 situation in Quebec remains under control, but there is concern that some in the population are growing too relaxed, the province's public health director said Friday.

Dr. Horacio Arruda said that with summer weather and a decline in new cases, “we have the impression that there's a certain loosening in the population about distancing and wearing masks.”

In some recently confirmed new cases, the number of people with whom the infected person had been in close contact has been higher than in the past, Arruda said, suggesting a decline in vigilance. And new cases, though still much lower than at their peak, are skewing younger.

New case of COVID-19 in Nunavik

One new case of COVID-19 is confirmed in Nunavik, in the village of Puvirnituq, Que.

There have been no cases reported in Nunavik since early May. This new case brings Nunavik's total number of cases so far to 17. Many of those cases have been in Puvirnituq. 

Outbreak at Saint-Jérôme hospital

Public health officials have have banned most visitors from entering the Saint-Jérôme 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.

Pandemic means dire need for social housing, community group says

Social housing group Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU) says it is alarmed by the shortage of rental housing this year, and say the situation is worsened by the pandemic. 

Hundreds of families in the province did not have a lease after July 1 and are either staying with friends or family or using emergency aid.

With evictions allowed to resume this month, the group says more tenants could be left out on the streets. 

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Impact of Air Canada suspending regional travel

Elected officials across Quebec are denouncing Air Canada's decision to indefinitely suspend several regional travel routes in the province. 

Four of the eight shuttered regional airport stations, and eight of the 30 cancelled routes, are in Quebec. Two other scrapped routes link Quebec to maritime provinces.

Without the flights, people in several parts of the province — including the Lower St. Lawrence, the North Shore, Gaspé and Abitibi-Témiscamingue — are effectively cut off from major city centres. 

Air Canada blames COVID-19's impact on travel for the cuts, stating the demand for both business and leisure travel has plummeted. 

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