Confirmed coronavirus cases in Quebec spike to over 1,000

Mar 24 2020, 6:17 pm

Quebec public health officials have announced that there are now 1,013 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the province, up 628 cases from Monday’s numbers.

According to Santé Quebec’s daily updated numbers, 2,548 people are “under investigation” and 12,202 cases have turned up negative.

Santé Quebec notes that “the significant increase in confirmed cases is explained by the fact that since March 22, 2020, cases tested positive by hospital laboratories are now considered confirmed. They no longer need validation by the Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec (LSPQ).”

As of midnight tonight, all non-essential stores and services in the province will be closed until at least April 13.

Quebec Premier François Legault says the measures are being put in place throughout the province because public health officials determined the virus is spreading quicker than before.

Legault said that Quebec will be “on pause” for the next three weeks and said that although difficult, the stricter measures are necessary to combat the virus from spreading even further.

As per Santé Quebec, Montreal is the region in the province with the most confirmed cases at 439, followed by Estrie at 130, and Montérégie at 125.

quebec.ca

A new outdoor walk-in clinic opened to Montrealers on Monday at Place des Festivals. Unlike other spots, this one allows people to show up without an appointment.

According to the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, the site will increase Montreal’s testing capability to up to 2,500 tests per day.

DH Montreal StaffDH Montreal Staff

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