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

• Quebec reported 550new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and one new death (the deathoccurredprior to Aug. 18)
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been386,015confirmed casesand11,284people have died.
• There are 110people in hospital (an increase of eight),including 33in intensive care(an increase of four).
• 27,678doses of vaccine were administered for a total of12,158,956doses administered in Quebec.
• 86per cent of the eligible population in the province (age 12 and up) hasreceived one dose of vaccine, and 77per cent have received two doses.

Dr. Mylne Drouin, Montreal's public health director, says the city is facing a fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the more contagious delta variant.

According to Montreal Public Health's most recent data, a total of 1,106 COVID-19 cases were recorded on its territory over a seven-day period leading up to Monday.

Delay return to office, province urges

The Quebec government wants companies todelay plans to bring employees back to the office until the COVID-19 situation in the province improves.

The Health Ministrysaid today in a news release it would be more prudent to wait before asking employees to stop working from home because of the heavy presence of the delta variant in Quebec and because the province is in a fourth wave of the virus.

It says a large proportion of outbreaks across the province during preceding waves occurred in workplaces.

Passport is coming

A week from today, Quebecerswill need to show proof they are adequately vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to go torestaurants, bars, gyms and take part in aslew of other non-essential public activities.

The VaxiCode apps one for people seeking entry into a public place, and the other allowing businesses to verify customers' proof of vaccination are now available for download on Apple'sApp Store.

The app should be in the Google Play Store in the coming days.The vaccination passport system takes effect on Sept. 1

For a full breakdown of the vaccination passport works, and where it will apply,click here.

Masks in class

Quebec will require students in primary and secondary schools in several regions, including Montreal and Laval, to wear masks at all times while indoors when they return to class.

Education Minister Jean-Franois Roberge announced the changes to the back-to-school plan in a news conference Tuesday.

The masks would make a comeback in classrooms across Montreal, Laval, Montrgie, Lanaudire,the Laurentians, Centre-du-Qubec, Outaouais, the Eastern Townships and Mauricie.

"This is a measure that is preventive and prudent," Roberge said. "This is not a situation we were hoping for."

WATCH| Infectious diseases specialist calls for masks, return to bubbles inschools

Top COVID-19 stories

• Quebec mandates vaccinations for all health-care workers and masks in post-secondary schools.
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• With September looming, parents across Canada call for pandemic-era safety measures and supports.
• Why it's now more likely you'll face coronavirus even if you're vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Will Quebec's vaccine passport plan help the province stave off another lockdown?