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

Residents of long-term care homes and health-care workers will be the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Quebec., says Health Minister Christian Dub.

Quebec is prioritizing residents of long-term care homes and health-care workers for first vaccines

CBC News Posted: Dec 07, 2020 6:25 AM EST | Last Updated: December 7, 2020

COVID-19 vaccine rollout: What the experts say

4 years ago

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As Canada prepares to distribute millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines, Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh and David Levine, who managed the H1N1 vaccine rollout for Montreal, say this vaccination campaign won't be without challenges.

Quebec reported 1,577 new cases ofCOVID-19 and 22more deaths on Monday.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 153,176 confirmedcases and7,277 people have died. Here's aguide to the numbers.
There are 818peoplein hospital (an increase of 40), including 105in intensive care (an increase of three).
CBC Montreal is collecting stories from Quebecers who have recovered from COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, pleaseget in touch.

Two thousand people in twolong-term care homes will be the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Quebec, starting next Monday.

Health MinisterChristian Dubsaid the first four boxes of the Pfizer vaccine will arrive next week and that the province is ready to start vaccinating people as soon as they arrive.

There are roughly 1,000 doses per box. For the Pfizer vaccine to be effective, a person must receive two doses of the vaccines.

The first 4,000 doses will serve to vaccinate roughly 2,000 people in a long-term care home in Quebec City and another in Montreal, though Dub did not specify which ones.

The next batch of vaccines will arrive in the province between Dec. 21 and Jan. 4 and will consist of 57 boxes, which Dub said would allow for the vaccination of between 22,000 and 28,000 people.

At least one vaccination site will be set up in every region of the province, with four in Montreal and two in the Montrgie region. Because the Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at 70C, Quebec has bought a special freezer for each region and most of the vaccination sites will be in or near long-term care homes.

Dub said the government would be announcing more details about the who gets the vaccine when in the coming weeks, but that at leastanother 650,000 Quebecers will likely be vaccinated within the first three months of 2021.

Quebec to start COVID-19 vaccinations next week, health minister says

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.

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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