Quebec reports 882 new COVID-19 cases, highest one-day total in 2 months

Quebec added 882 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday and one new death, bringing the death toll since the start of the pandemic to 441,344.

However, the health authority noted that 423,075 people have recovered.

The number of active cases rose to 6,703, with the seven-day average for daily infections remaining above the 700 mark at 751.

Of the new cases reported on Tuesday, 537 were people who had not been vaccinated or were less than 14 days off the first dose of the vaccine.

The last time new infections were this high in Quebec was on September 11, when 995 new infections were reported.

Hospitalizations are on the rise with 27 newly admitted and 19 discharged patients out of a total of 211 – an increase of 8 in the past day. Of those hospitalized, 46 are in the ICU.

Immunization of children between the ages of 5 and 11 began at mass vaccination centers across the province on Wednesday.

Children in that age group can also be vaccinated starting next week. Parents should expect to see consent forms over the next few days.

On the first day of enrollment on Tuesday, 80,000 immunization appointments were booked by parents, as of mid-afternoon.

Quebec Premier François Legault said there are about 650,000 eligible children in that age range in the province.

The goal is to have one dose injected by Christmas, with a second dose delayed by 8 weeks.

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Update COVID-19

The benefits of vaccinating children, Legault said Tuesday are to reduce the risk of children experiencing severe symptoms and also to prevent school outbreaks and subsequent school closures.

To date, 79.8% of the population has received at least one injection. That rate spiked to 91.1 for those 12 years of age and older who received at least one dose, and 88.8 for those who were fully immunized.

Third dose booster shots are now available to people 70 years of age and older, as well as those who have received two doses of AstraZeneca six months have passed since the previous injection.

Up to now, this virus has claimed the lives of 11,566 people with Quebec disease.