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

With Quebec immersed in the third wave of COVID-19, Premier Franois Legault says five of the province's regions may end up seeing tighter restrictions.

The premier warns that 5 regions are problematic and could see tougher restrictions

CBC News Posted: Mar 30, 2021 6:34 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 30, 2021

Some school boards do not deem it safe for their students to return to full-time, in-person classes, and have told most of their students to continue alternating between going to school and learning from home. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

Quebec reported 864new caseson Tuesdayand sevennew deaths.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been310,066confirmed cases and10,658people have died.
There are 487people in hospital (an increase of 10), including 126in intensive care (an increase of six).
42,771doses ofvaccine were administered in the last 24 hours for atotal of 1,305,840sinceDec. 14.

Premier Franois Legaultsays five regions of the province are seeinga rise in cases of COVID-19 and the government will be watching them closely to see if tighter restrictions need to be put in place.

The regions are:

The Outaouais, particularly the city of Gatineau.
Quebec City.
Lac-St-Jean, particularly Roberval.
The Beauce.
The Lower Saint-Lawrence, particularly Rivire-du-Loup and Rimouski.

Legault also said the province would shift vaccines to harder hit regions, and that the suspension of theAstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine for those55 and under won't jeopardize the June 24 target to have everyone receive a dose.

Legault said he believes that the vaccine is safe for people over 55, and he noted there have been very few complications overall.

"The greater risk is to refuse to be vaccinated,"he said. Still, the government's online booking site will now clearly mark which sites are stocked with AstraZenecaso people can decide if they want to take it.

Quebec suspends giving doses of AstraZeneca to those under 55, though no issues reported in Canada

Quebec's public health institute, the INSPQ, alsoissued a newrecommendation that people in workplaces wear masks at all times. The INSPQ said the coronavirus variants are more easily transmitted, and potentially more virulent.

Experts have raised concern the province is reopening too quickly, with high school students back in class full time and gyms open once again in red zones.

Several school boards have argued it's not safe to do so, and have decided to keepalternating between going to school and learning from home.

Analysis
As 3rd wave takes hold, Quebec hopes to thread the needle

New AstraZeneca guidelines will have impact on Quebec's vaccination campaign: Arruda

4 years ago

4:04

Quebec's director of public health, Dr. Horacio Arruda, comments on the province officially entering the third wave of the pandemic.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Fever.
New or worsening cough.
Difficulty breathing.
Sudden loss of smell without a stuffy nose.
Gastrointestinal issues (such as nausea, diarrhea).

If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks that you call18776444545to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic.

To reserve an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can go on the online portal quebec.ca/covidvaccine. You can also call 1-877-644-4545.

Quebec government reminders for preventing the spread of COVID-19:

Wash your hands frequently.
Avoid touching your face.
Wear a mask or face coveringwhen physical distancing is not possible. Wearing a mask is mandatory in enclosed public spaces across the province.
Stay at least two metres away from other people as much as possible.
Self-isolate for 14 days after returning from a stay outside the country.

You can find information on COVID-19 in the provincehereand information on the situation in Montrealhere.

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

The premier warns that 5 regions are problematic and could see tougher restrictions

New AstraZeneca guidelines will have impact on Quebec's vaccination campaign: Arruda

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