COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Monday

• Quebec reported1,599new caseson Monday and two more deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been327,982 confirmed cases and10,744people have died.
• There are 630 people in hospital (an increase of 22), including 142 in intensive care (an increase of three).
• 52,705vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours for atotal of 1,944,877sinceDec. 14.

Starting today, people age 60 and younger who live in Montreal and have high-risk chronic illnesses and receive treatments or consult their doctors in hospital will be able to book their vaccine appointments.

What counts as a chronic illness or underlying condition? The Health Ministry came up with some criteria, which include:

• People who are hospitalized due to a chronic illnesssuch as heart, kidney or lung disease, obesity, hypertension, certain forms ofimmunosuppression(including cancer patients), diabetes, sickle-cell anemia and Down syndrome.
• People on dialysis for kidney failure, on an outpatient basis.
• People being treated for a solid organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or certain kinds of cancer, on an outpatient basis.
• Patients who need to get vaccinations under the supervision of an allergist.

The full list of criteria and guidelinesis available here.

Meanwhile, the first night of the earlier curfew in Montreal didn't go so well. At least, not in Old Montreal.

A protest against the 8 p.m. curfew got out of hand when someof people who gathered to voice their displeasure started lighting fires and breaking windows.

Police say they have made several arrests and handed out more than 100 tickets so far.

Top COVID-19 stories today

• The pandemic is creating challenges for this Eastern Townships water buffalo farmer.
• The rules about when you have to wear a mask are confusing.
• Some Quebec health-care workers will now need to show proof of vaccination.
• Quebecers 55 and overjump at the chance to get AstraZeneca vaccine without appointment.
• Driven outdoors by the pandemic, Quebecers are rescuing birds in record numbers
• VIDEO |Essential but forgotten? Youth who toil in grocery stores, cafs and restaurants feel the strain.