COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Tuesday
Premier urges people to be 'very cautious' even as cases stabilize
- Quebec reported 815 new cases of COVID-19 and five more deaths on Tuesday. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 87,791 confirmed cases in the province and 5,970 people have died.
- There are 468 people in hospital (an increase of 11), including 85 in intensive care (an increase of 10). Here's a guide to the numbers.
- Having trouble keeping track of what's now closed? Consult our list.
More regions were moved to the red zone Tuesday, including the rest of the Quebec City area (including Charlevoix), all of the Montérégie and the entire Centre-du-Quebec region.
After a jump in cases, the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is now considered an orange zone.
The added measures will gradually go into effect in the red zones starting Friday, Premier François Legault said.
"We're seeing that the contagion seems to have stopped increasing but we must remain very cautious," said Legault. "The virus is spreading in more regions."
Legault said it is crucial that people continue to avoid indoor gatherings over the coming months in order to keep case numbers down and keep hospitals from overcrowding.
Montreal's mayor is also set to give an update at 3:30 p.m., after a long weekend that saw the number of daily cases decline slightly.
The province recorded 815 cases on Tuesday.
Dr. Christopher Labos, a Montreal epidemiologist, said it's too early to say whether the restrictions imposed Oct. 1 have had the desired effect.
"You don't want to over-interpret any single days," he said.
He said the province needs to see a long-range drop in cases before any restrictions are lifted.
Top COVID-19 stories today
- Montreal closes Mount Royal parking in effort to limit crowds.
- Loyola High School closes for two weeks after COVID-19 cases.
- COVID-19 is changing the way men and women split the risk in the workplace.
- From Montreal to Quebec City and all points in between, most of the province is in the red zone.
- This is what you can and can't do while living in a red zone.
- VIDEO | Against all odds, this 49-year-old nurse survived COVID-19.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever.
- New or worsening cough.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Sudden loss of smell without a stuffy nose.
- Gastrointestinal issues (such as nausea, diarrhea).
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.
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.
