QUEBEC CITY The government of Quebec is showing its intention to keep an eye on the worrying spread of novel coronavirus variants around the world by launching a scientific initiative. Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dube and Economy and Innovation Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon announced Friday that $11.1 million has been granted to the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ) for the deployment of the COVID-19 variant surveillance program in Quebec. The program aims to sequence 65,000 samples that tested positive for the novel coronavirus by the end of 2021. The objective is to identify the genetic mutations of the virus, identify the variants and determine their impact on transmission, the severity of the disease and response to vaccines to support the Government of Quebec in managing the pandemic.
MONTREAL Quebec reported Thursday that 1,368 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 258,698 since the start of the pandemic. The number is below the seven-day average which is now 1,405. Of the total number of positive cases, Quebec reports that 233,768 people have recovered from the disease, 1,547 more than on Wednesday. The Quebec Institute of Public Health reports that there are 15,263 active COVID-19 cases in the province. The province also added 39 deaths due to the disease including eight that were reported in the past 24 hours, 24 between Jan. 21 and Jan. 26, five before Jan. 21 and two at an unknown date.
MONTREAL According to the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ), 12 per cent of the Quebec population presents to varying degrees the symptoms and signs of functional impairment of a mental health disorder. That s one million Quebecers who are suffering. Some will find themselves in distress; others will be absent from work more often and will see their health slowly decline. The current pandemic will only aggravate this alarming situation. Although necessary, the measures put in place to counter this pandemic may lead to social isolation, much bereavement, a prolonged sense of insecurity, loss of control, as well as physical or moral exhaustion.
Quebec reported Saturday that 252,176 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 in the province and 9,437 people have died due to the disease since the start of the pandemic.
As Quebec begins the first night of curfew, the province reported that 226,233 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 and 8,647 people have died due to the virus since the start of the pandemic. 75,123 vaccines have now been administered.