COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Wednesday

• Quebec reported 729new caseson Wednesday and 19more deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been289,670confirmed cases and10,426people have died.
• There are618people in hospital (a decrease of 10), including120in intensive care (adecrease of one).
• 16,117doses ofvaccine were administered on Tuesday. A total of 472,710doses have been administered sinceDec. 14.

PremierFranois Legaultand provincial health authorities are expected to outline new COVID-19 restrictions later today, as concern over coronavirus variants grows.

On Tuesday, Health MinisterChristian Dubwarned that while the number of COVID-19 cases in the province appears to be stable, the number of variant cases is rising especially in Montreal.

Last week, variants accounted for about 10 per cent of new cases in Montreal. Now, they're hovering at around 12 to 15 per cent.

Legault andDub's announcement will be streamed live here at 5 p.m.

Montreal public health directorDr.Mylne Drouinis also providing an update today. That news conference is at 1:30 p.m., and you can watch it live here as well.

On Wednesday, Quebec's statistics agency revealedlife expectancy in the province has dropped due to the pandemic.

In 2020, life expectancy at birth was 80.6 years for men, five months shorter than it was in 2019. Life expectancy for women dropped eight months, and was 84 years in 2020.

The Institut de la statistique du Qubec estimates 74,550 people died in the province last year, a 10-per cent jump compared to 2019. You can read the report here (in French).

To reservean appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can go on theonlineportalquebec.ca/covidvaccine. You can also call1-877-644-4545.

If you have been feelingisolated, we'vecompiledsome ways to help copeas part ofa special CBC Quebec project calledOut of the Dark: Real Talk on Mental Health.

Top COVID-19 stories today

• Anatomy of a crisis: How the West Island's health-care system struggled through the 1st wave.
• Vaccines are 'weapons of mass reduction' in Quebec's fight against coronavirus variants, health minister says.
• Mass vaccination campaign launches in Montreal with snags, frustration and joy.
• Benefits and risks of delaying 2nd doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
• COVID-19 has made education more accessible for university students with mobility disabilities.