Quebec reports 756 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations soar

Quebec reported 756 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths as health authorities warned of the emergence of the Omicron variant in Canada.

Canada’s first known cases were confirmed in Ottawa on Sunday. Ontario’s top doctor said the two, who recently traveled to Nigeria, were first tested for the virus in Montreal when they arrived in Canada.

On Sunday, Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos reassured the public, saying more cases of the disease were expected.

“I know this new variant seems worrisome, but I want to remind Canadians that vaccination, combined with public health and personal protective measures, is working to reduce the spread of COVID. -19 and its variations in our community.”

Of the new COVID-19 cases reported in Quebec, 417 are among those who have not been vaccinated or who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 for less than two weeks.

According to data released by the Quebec Ministry of Health, unvaccinated people are 3.6 times more likely to become infected than fully vaccinated people.

They were also 16.1 times more likely to be hospitalized for complications from the virus than those who were fully vaccinated.

The number of hospital admissions related to the pandemic has increased by 10 cases in the past day, with 22 patients being hospitalized and 12 being discharged from the hospital out of a total of 226. Of which, 45 are in intensive care.

Quebec’s immunization campaign for children aged 5 to 11 continues with 69,889 children receiving their first dose of the pediatric vaccine and another 136,264 having an appointment booked.

The latest data available shows that 80% of the population in Quebec has received at least one dose.

To date, the province has recorded 447,387 cases and 11,576 deaths from the virus.

– With files from Global News ‘David Lao and The Canadian Press