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

The latest:

• Quebechas49,139confirmed casesof COVID-19, and4,228peoplehave died,an increase of 541 cases and 89 deaths since Tuesday.
• There are1,378people in hospital (a decrease of 25), including 184 in intensive care (an increase of three). Here's aguideto the numbers.
• The Canadian military issued a report Wednesday that said long-term care institutionsin Quebec are stillnot following guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.
• Some COVID-19 testing sites in Montreal will be operating on reduced hours this week, with the city under a heat alert until Friday.

Premier Franois Legault said there were no surprises in a report by the Canadian military, detailing the challenges Quebec's long-term care facilities are facing.

The report says the division between"hot" and "cold" zones, proper use of protective equipment and staffing shortages are still major issues.

Patients at long-term care homes, known asCHSLDs, accountfor more than 60 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in the province.

• MORE:Staffing, protective equipment still a challenge in Quebec long-term care homes, military report says

The report comesas long-term care homes deal with the impact of the extreme heat and humidityon top of the pandemic.

More than two-thirds of residents' rooms in the facilities do not have air conditioning, and while mostCHSLDs have at least one zone that is air-conditioned, shared spaces indoors are off-limitbecause of the risk of spreading the virus.

Ways to beat heat in pandemic

Dr. Mylne Drouin, the Montreal's public health director, is reminding those whoare in self-isolation because of COVID-19 symptoms that they need to stay in self-isolation.

She recommendstaking cold baths and keeping window curtains closed to stay cool at home.

For those who can leave the house, the city has reopened most of its green spaces, and many splash pads have opened with new safety measures that respect physical distancing.

• How to stay cool and safe in the heat in Montreal

Testing expandedin the Mauricie

Health authorities in the Mauricie region are hoping thatbringing testing right to residents' doorsteps will help them track the spread of COVID-19 there.

A Trois-Rivires city bus and a decontamination unit from the Shawinigan fire department have been revamped to offer curbside testing, startingin the region's larger cities this week.

• MORE:Mobile COVID-19 testing expands to MauricieCentre du Qubec region