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

• Quebec reported 436new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesdayand one new death (the person died prior to Aug.11).
• The province is also attributing 35other deaths to COVID-19. Theyoccurred in the Mauricie regionprior to March 21, 2021
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been382,755confirmed casesand11,278people have died.
• There are 88people in hospital (no change),including 28in intensive care(an increase of one).
• 42,568doses of vaccine were administered for a total of11,899,841doses administered in Quebec.
• 85per cent of the eligible population in the province (age 12 and up) hasreceived one dose of vaccine, and 74per cent have received two doses.

COVID-19 data is no longerupdated by Quebec's Health Ministry on weekends or on public holidays.

The Quebec government says it will suspend health-care workers without pay if they don't meet the province's vaccination requirements.

On Tuesday, PremierFranois Legault announced that the government will make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all health-care workers.

The mandate would apply to any health care workerwho comes into "direct contact with vulnerable people for 15 minutes or more," said Dr. Horacio Arruda, the province's public health director.

Unions representing health-care workers have expressed concern the vaccine mandate could worsen the labour shortage in the sector.

Students in CEGEPs and universities will also be required to wear masks not only in common areas, but when seated in class, too.

Province backtracks on plans for large concert

The Quebec government is cancelling its plans to hold a large concert in Quebec City next month.

The province wanted to use the concert as a test run, with the goal of developing COVID-19 protocols for music festivals.

It was to be held next month on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City

In a statement, Caroline Proulx,the province's tourism minister, said cancelling the concert was a "responsibledecision."

"With a fourth wave gaining steam and the ever present threat of the delta variant, the conditions are not right to go ahead with this event," saidProulx.

The concert would have cost the government up to $3 million.

Seniors minister on medical leave

Marguerite Blais, the provincial minister responsible for seniors, is on medical leave. Blais is stepping away from her duties until the end of September.

Christian Dub, the province's health minister, will take over her files in the interim.

WATCH| Legault says province is ready for fourth wave

Quebec premier says province ready for coronavirus 4th wave

3 years ago

Duration 1:47

Quebec Premier Franois Legault says his province is ready for a fourth wave of COVID-19 because of its high vaccination rate but he's mindful that hospitalizations could rise.

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