COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Friday

• On Friday, Quebec reported 1,275 people in hospital (an increase of 37 from the previous day), including 62 in intensive care (a decrease of four from the previous day).
• The province reported 3,182 new cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths. 
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 970,951 confirmed cases, and 14,382 people have died.
• The province also reported a total of 18,669,587 doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered, including 20,898 doses in the last 24 hours. 
• 91 per cent of the eligible population in the province (aged five and up) have received one dose of the vaccine; 87 per cent have received two doses, and 53 per cent have received three doses.

*The new cases are those reported to the Quebec government only. They are believed to be an underrepresentation of the virus's spread, given the limited availability of PCR tests and use of home testing kits.

*Quebec's Health Ministry announced it will no longer report its COVID-19 numbers on the weekend.

Quebec pharmacists can now officially begin prescribing Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral drug, Paxlovid, to positive, symptomatic patients who are at risk of developing complications from the virus, the Health Ministry announced Friday. 

In a statement, the ministry said giving patients access to the medication through 1,900 pharmacies across the province would "encourage faster initiation of treatment to optimize the benefits for both the individual and the health-care system." 

Administered in pill form, the drug is designed to help the body fight off the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reduce symptoms from an infection and shorten the period of illness. The Health Ministry expanded access to the treatment earlier this month. 

"Paxlovid is an additional tool at our disposal to reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths among our most vulnerable people," said Health Minister Christian Dubé in a statement.

Seniors and those with health problems are invited to consult the criteria for the use of Paxlovid on the provincial health institute's website to see if they are likely to benefit from it. The use of the antiviral is not possible in some patients due to drug interactions or contraindications.

6th wave could be as bad as 5th

A top infectious diseases specialist in Quebec said as the sixth wave of the pandemic accelerates across the province, the government should be doing more to curb it. 

On Thursday, the health minister said mask mandates are still expected to be lifted in two weeks, despite surging cases of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and differing views from the province's public health director. 

But infectious disease specialist Dr. Cécile Tremblay said the government must do more to protect hospital capacity. She says the province's health-care system could soon become overwhelmed — once again — with 10,000 health-care workers already off the job.

"I don't think the [government] message is appropriate to what the situation is right now," Tremblay said, noting it leaves at-risk populations to fend for themselves.

While she's not in favour of another complete shutdown, Tremblay is calling on the government to keep masking restrictions and to reduce capacity in some businesses where the risk of infection is greater, such as restaurants. 

"The pandemic is not over, and this sixth wave is probably going to be as bad as the fifth one. We should at least have the same sense of urgency," Tremblay said. 

More restrictions not part of the plan: health minister

Quebec's interim public health director says he's not ruling out maintaining the masking measure, as well as the possibility of reimposing some health measures in the wake of another surge in COVID-19 cases. But the health minister says the government has no plan to add restrictions.

Dr. Luc Boileau said he will be monitoring the situation closely, but is counting on the good sense of Quebecers to be careful and to reduce their contacts.

"All options are on the table," he said. 

Meanwhile, Dubé told reporters "there is no reason for the moment ... to change the strategy" as "people have to learn to live with the virus." 

Next week, Boileau plans to make his recommendations to the Quebec government regarding the wearing of masks in public places.

Confirmation of this sixth wave comes as Dubé kicked off consultations on his bill to put an end to the health emergency.

Montreal bars, restaurants try to cope with COVID

Meanwhile, some Montreal businesses are suffering once again as a rise in COVID-19 cases appears to be affecting staffing, particularly in bars and restaurants. 

A handful have had to close temporarily, with several employees being infected at once. But industry leaders say too many establishments will disappear for good if the provincial government calls for dining rooms to close again. 

The Quebec Restaurant Association is calling on the government not to close restaurants during the sixth wave, but leave the responsibility of protecting customers up to owners. 

"We see that the restaurant industry wants to do their part … and will close their restaurants down if they need to do so," said Martin Vézina, the vice-president of governmental affairs for the association. 

Top COVID-19 stories

• New Quebec health plan promises better access to care.
• 10 MNAs and counting contract COVID-19. 
• Quebec plans to eliminate forced overtime for nurses, revamp health system by 2025.
• Quebec lifting some pandemic measures early, to soon lift public masking requirements.
• Quebec public health director defends plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions early.
• Quebec scraps masks in class for elementary, high school students after March break.