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

• Quebec reported 84 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and four more deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 374,095 confirmed cases and11,195 people have died.
• There are161 people in hospital (a decrease of seven), including 40 in intensive care (an increase of one).
• 84,121 doses of vaccine were administered in the province over the last 24 hours, for a total of7,472,849.
• 79per cent ofthe eligible population in the province have received one dose of vaccine, and 20 per cent have received two doses.

At a news conference, Premier Franois Legaultannounced he is further loosening restrictions in the coming days as cases decline and the vaccination rate rises. A total of 80 per cent of the eligible population has now had a first dose of vaccine.

Starting Friday, those who have received two doses will bepermitted under the health guidelinesto gather inside without a mask.Amaximum of 3,500 will also be allowed at outdoor festivals.

Next Monday, the entire province will move to the green zone, which means more allowances in terms of gatherings and recreational sports. Full details on what that means are available on the province's website.

Second dose for those who had COVID

Legault said that if a person who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 wants a second dose to comply with international travel requirements, they canget one.

He acknowledged there may be difficulty in doingso through the province's online portal, Clic Sant, but walk-in clinics are an option.

More broadly, Quebecers aged 25 and over can move up their second vaccine appointment, starting today.

If you are looking to get a second dose, and received your first dose more than eight weeks ago, you can check to see which vaccine is available in your region here.

Cases drop

For the first time in nearly a year, there wasn't a single new case of COVID-19 recorded in the Quebec City region.

The last time the Capitale-Nationale area saw nonew cases was on July 1, 2020, according to public health officials.

Overall, the number of daily new cases across the province dropped below 100 on Monday for the first timesince last August. It was below that threshold again today.

Canada to start producing vaccines

The first Canadian laboratory to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines will be inaugurated today in Montreal.

Since the new plant won't produce Novavax vaccines until spring 2022, the doses will serve as boosters.

The new plantwill allow Canada to produce about 24 million vaccine doses per year.

Top COVID-19 stories

• Shocking details about Quebec's 1st wave revealed at inquest into long-term care deaths.
• Why COVID-19 may now feel like a bad cold.
• There wasno oxygen or running waterin hot zone at Quebec's worst-hit long-term care home.
• What second doses meanfor people across Canada.

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, vomiting).
• Sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.
• Generalized muscle pain.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.

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.

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