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

• On Thursday, Quebec reported 1,034people in hospital (a decrease of 39 from the previous day), including 50in intensive care (a decrease of six fromthe previous day).
• The province reported 1,462new cases of COVID-19 and 19deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 941,112 confirmed cases, and 14,232people have died.
• The province also reported Thursday a total of18,543,224doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered, including5,819doses in the last 24 hours.
• 91 per cent of the eligible population in the province (agedfive and up) have received one dose of the vaccine;87per cent have received two doses, and 52 per cent have received three doses.

*The new cases are those reported to the Quebec government only. They are believed to be an underrepresentation of the virus's spread, given the limited availability of PCR tests and use of home testing kits.

*Quebec's Health Ministry announced it will no longerreport itsCOVID-19 numberson the weekend.

The Quebec government is expanding access to Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral drug, Paxlovid, announcing Thursday that it will soon be available in all pharmacies.

In a statement, the province did not provide a specific timeline for its availability.

The oral antiviral treatment mustbeprescribedby a physician or specialized nurse practitioner after a positive COVID-19 test.

Administered in pill form and approved by Health Canada in January, the drugis designed to help the body fight off the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reduce symptoms from an infection and shorten the period of illness.

Treatment with Paxlovidmust be initiated within five days of the onset of symptoms.

Access to the drug will be available for immunocompromised adults,people 60 years of age and older, pregnant women and people who have not been vaccinated or who have only been partially vaccinated. Access will also be available for people aged 18 and up with specific conditions.

Moderna approved for kids aged 6-11

Health Canada hasapprovedthe use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of six and 11.

Last year, Modernafoundits two-dosemRNAvaccine generated virus-neutralizing antibodies in children between six and 11 years of age, and safety was comparable to that seen in clinical trials of adolescents and adults.

The dosing schedule approved by Health Canada is to give the two doses a100-microgramdose each for thoseaged12 and older, and a half-doseeach for those aged sixto 11 one month apart.

Canada authorized Moderna's vaccine for adolescents inAugust 2021.

Ending pre-arrival COVID testing

Canada is scrapping its pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirementfor fully vaccinated travellers as of April 1.

Travellers will still be subject to random testing upon arrival in Canadato identify and track variants, but they will not need to quarantine while awaiting results.

Currently, travellers entering the country must show proof of a negative antigen or molecular test prior to their flight or arrival at the border.

"We are now entering into a transition phase of this pandemic," said federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos at a Thursday news conference in Ottawa.

"Today's announcement is encouraging, but let us remember that all measures are subject to review," he said.

Quebec COVID-19 vaccine faces WHO rejection

A plant-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by Quebec biopharmaceutical firm Medicago will "very likely" not be approved for emergency use because of the company's ties to the tobacco industry.

"Due to its connections it's partially owned by Philip Morris the process is put on hold," said Mariangela Simao, WHO's assistant director general for drug access, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, at a Wednesday media briefing.

"The WHO and the UN have a very strict policy regarding engagement with the tobacco and arms industry, so it's very likely it won't be accepted for emergency use listing."

The vaccine was approvedfor use by Health Canada in February for adults 18 to 64 years of age.

Last October, Canadasigned a dealto buy20 million dosesofMedicago'svaccine, with an option for 56millionmore, and the shot isexpected to be made available to the public in May.

Ending state of emergency

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dub tabled a bill in the National Assembly Wednesdaymorningwhich, onceadopted, will liftthe pandemic state of emergency while stillallowing the government to retain some powers, notablyto manage the health-care system,through to the end of 2022.

The bill comes as the government has alreadyrelaxed most pandemic restrictionsand has announced its intention to drop mask requirements in public places by mid-April, and on public transit in May.

The state of emergency, declared on March 13, 2020 under the Public Health Act, gave the government the ability to take any "measure necessary to protect the health of the population" without having to follow standard procedures.

For the past two years,the decree has given the Quebec government special powers to manage the COVID-19 crisis, including issuing contracts without a call for tenders, limiting travel, decreeingthe working conditions of health-care employeesand other measures deemed necessary to protect the population.

WATCH| 'We're doing better' but 'it's still not over' says Montreal microbiologist:

Where Quebec stands now, two years into the COVID-19 pandemic

3 years ago

Duration 4:39

Dr. Ccile Tremblay, infectious diseases specialist at the CHUM hospital says while the COVID-19 situation in the province has improved, the province needs better access to testing and anti-viral medication, to help prepare for future waves.

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