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

• Quebec reported 703new caseson Wednesday and 13more deaths. One death that was previously reported is no longer attributed to COVID-19.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been299,450confirmed cases and10,570people have died.
• There are532people in hospital (adecrease of one), including 107in intensive care (an increase of 16).
• 28,812doses ofvaccine were administered on Tuesdayfor atotal of 804,806sinceDec. 14.

The situation in Montreal has improved, but Dr. Mylne Drouin is warning residents not to gather inside given the prospect of another surge in cases like the one underway in Ontario.

The public health director said a third wave is expected, but the longer it is postponed the better, because more people will be vaccinated.

Quebec is aiming to make a vaccine available to everyone by June 24 and those over age 65 by mid-April.

"We have to keep measures extremely strict," she said. Drouin said those planning to return to the gym, or stay out later with the curfew extended to 9:30 p.m., should still adhere to public health guidelines.

If you have been feelingisolated, we'vecompiledsome ways to help copeas part ofa special CBC Quebec project calledOut of the Dark: Real Talk on Mental Health.

Top COVID-19 stories today

• The province's physicians and nurses say government needs to tighten screws on private CHSLDs.
• AstraZeneca says its vaccine review found no evidence of increased blood clot risks.
• Gyms and spas to reopen in COVID red zonesbut don't expect your spin class to resume.
• The Canada-U.S. border's been shut down for a year and there's no reopening plan.
• Their jobs are essential, but protesting workers in Montreal say wages, treatment suggest otherwise.
• Robbed of saying a proper goodbye, families mourn those they lost to COVID-19.