Quebec's coronavirus-related death toll tops 1,000

The Quebec government revealed that the province’s COVID-19-related death toll has topped 1,000 total after announcing 102 new deaths since Monday.

As part of his daily briefings, Premier François Legault updated provincial numbers, stating that Quebec now has 1,041 virus-related deaths, 20,126 known cases, and 1,224 hospitalized patients, 201 of whom are in intensive care.

A total of 151,394 cases have turned up negative throughout Quebec.

“I want to offer my condolences to all the families and victims,” began Legault.

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“Of course, the great challenge remains in our residences for the elderly,” continued the premier. He said 850 of the province’s 1,041 deaths are people who were in long-term care residences (CHSLDs).

Legault said “there are no cases” of the virus in 2,300 out of Quebec’s 2,600 CHSLDs, and that 220 out of 300 long-term care homes have the situation “under control.” By his calculations, he says there are 80 CHSLDs in the province that are “more difficult” and constant monitoring needs to be done.

In regards to the province’s 2,000 CHSLD employee shortages, Legault said yesterday he got word that specialists, doctors, nurses, orderlies, and students managed to fill 1,000 vacant positions.

“If all goes well, by tomorrow evening, the situation should be under control,” said Legault, in terms of staffing.

Legault thanked all healthcare students and medical staff, calling it “encouraging” and giving his admiration that citizens responded to his plea for help.

#COVID19 – Au Québec, en date du 21 avril 2020 à 13 h, la situation est la suivante :
20 126 cas confirmés
151 394 analyses négatives (cas infirmés)
1 224 personnes hospitalisées
1 041 décès

Pour en savoir plus sur la situation au Québec : https://t.co/fiqW5E4y8R

— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) April 21, 2020

Legault said officials are “having a look” at how the province can begin to reopen schools, businesses, and daycares — stressing that the province needs “stability” and reinforced the importance of moving “gradually.”

On Monday, the premier confirmed that schools will not be reopening in May and said on Tuesday that sending students back in September would not be wise. “Sending one million students and teachers back in the fall could create a second wave of COVID-19,” he said.

Legault reminded Quebecers who do go outside to remain two metres away from people and urged citizens to wash their hands upon returning home.

“We will get through this together,” he concluded.

Quebec is one of the global leaders when it comes to screening tests, according to the premier, hence the consistent influx of known cases throughout the province.

Canada’s coronavirus death toll now totals 1,728.