Quebec reports lowest COVID-19 increase in over 100 days

Quebec health officials are reporting the province’s lowest daily COVID-19 increase in 106 days.

The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux is reporting 853 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest in Quebec since October 25, when 808 new cases were announced.

The encouraging case announcement comes on the same day that Quebec has eased COVID-19 restrictions in parts of the province.

Public health has also added 17 new virus-related deaths. Of the newly-added deaths, two have occurred in the past day, 11 have occurred between February 1 and February 6, and four from January.

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The number of hospitalizations increased by six compared to Sunday, for a cumulative total of 969. Among these, the number of people in intensive care increased by two for a total of 160 across Quebec.

Since Sunday, a total of 1,529 doses of vaccine were administered for a total of 259,188 across the province.

There are now 270,911 COVID-19 cases across the province, 249,361 recoveries, 10,046 deaths, and 2,600,824 negative tests.

As of February 8, businesses, salons, libraries, and museums are slated to open everywhere across Quebec. University and CEGEP students will begin a “gradual” return to physical classes.

Legault said the COVID-19 situation has been “improving” over the past few weeks, which he said is “very encouraging.”

The premier says public health sees a decrease in cases and hospitalizations “almost on a daily basis” and thanked Quebecers for their efforts.

Santé Quebec advises residents to “frequently wash” their hands (for 20 seconds with soap and water), use alcohol-based disinfectant, respect the measures regarding private gatherings, and limit travel as much as possible.

The distribution of deaths in Quebec by age group is as follows:

The distribution of provincial cases per age group is as follows:

Canada’s COVID-19 death toll is now 20,800 along with 805,525 total cases.