Quebec confirms 65 more coronavirus deaths as cases pass 46,000

The Quebec government revealed that the province’s COVID-19-related death toll has reached 3,865, after announcing 65 more deaths since Thursday afternoon.

As part of Quebec’s daily briefings, Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault updated the provincial numbers, confirming 46,141 known cases and 1,533 hospitalizations, 171 of whom are in the ICU.

Currently, a reported 321,123 tests have turned up negative throughout Quebec.

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“I would like to make a reminder, masks have to be worn at all times as much as possible as soon as you leave home and your car,” said Guilbault in French. “There are still people for whom it hasn’t become a habit. Particularly in closed places, businesses, stores, and public transit, masks are about protecting others.”

Guilbault says the government is continuing to observe the “encouraging trend” of stabilization in new cases. She says Quebec is testing more and the government’s 14,000 daily test goal is soon to be reached. She said on Thursday, the province conducted 12,654 tests.

The Deputy Premier said the “increase of new cases remains relatively stable” and she called on Quebecers who have symptoms or a “reasonable doubt” to go out and get tested. “Not just here in Montreal, but regardless of where you are,” she continued. “It’s in testing more and more, where the affected people are and to contain the situation, don’t hesitate to go get tested.”

Graphique sur la répartition du nombre quotidien de décès liés à la #COVID19 selon le milieu de vie et la date de décèshttps://t.co/H5hxOkB9w6 pic.twitter.com/dD6Kl1VaCa

— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) May 22, 2020

Guilbault says as the province moves forward to reopen, Quebecers’ “key element” is to remain respectful of public health’s guidelines. She highlighted how Friday marks the easing of outdoor restrictions and stressed that “we could go back to tighter restrictions” if people don’t respect the rules.

“If we all continue to respect these rules, we can go forward with more and more access to the freedom we all want again,” she concluded.

Canada’s coronavirus death toll now totals 6,180.