Quebec reports 720 new infections as active cases soar to nearly 6,100

Quebec reported 720 more COVID-19 cases on Thursday and two more deaths from its continuing health crisis.

To date, Quebec has recorded 436,804 infections and 419,156 recoveries, bringing the number of active cases to just under 6,100.

Of the new infections, 432 were people who were not vaccinated or were less than two weeks off the first dose of the vaccine.

The number of hospital admissions increased by 10 cases with 20 newly admitted patients and 10 discharged cases. Of the 205 hospitalized, 46 are in the ICU.

Unvaccinated people are 15.9 times more likely to be hospitalized after contracting the virus than those who are fully vaccinated, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health.

Another 11,094 doses of the vaccine were administered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to more than 13.43 million doses.

To date, 88.6% of the eligible population 12 years of age and older are fully immunized.

Quebec authorities reported Thursday that 329 health care workers have been suspended from work without pay because they refused to be tested for COVID-19.

Testing has become a requirement for those in the health network who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 after the government delayed the vaccination mandate earlier this month.

The province has abandoned the measure entirely, saying the health care network cannot afford to lose thousands of unvaccinated employees.