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

• On Wednesday, Quebec reported 1,200people in hospital (an increase of 47from the previous day), including 60in intensive care (an decrease of threefromthe previous day).
• The province reported 3,067new cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 964,450confirmed cases, and 14,353people have died.
• The province also reported a total of18,631,276doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered, including 8,849doses 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 53 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.

Radio-Canada sources say Quebec's public health institute (INSPQ) considers the province has officially entered a sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with hospitalizations expected to rise in the coming days.

Last week, interim public health director Dr. Luc Boileau said he wasn't ready to declare a new wave, but that the upward trend in cases was worrisome, and pointing in that direction.

Quebec's deputy premier is among a growing list of members of the National Assembly who have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks.

Public Security Minister Genevive Guilbaultannounced on TwitterWednesday that she would remain in isolation until Saturday, after she contracted the virus while takingcare of her daughter, who tested positive overthe weekend.

Nine MNAshave tested positive recently, including Guilbault, Premier Franois Legault, five other Coalition Avenir Qubecmembers, one Quebec Liberal Party member and one member ofQubec Solidaire.

Wednesday's cabinet meeting was forced online as a result, prompting concerns that the end of the legislative session could be disrupted.

The news of MNAs sidelined by COVID-19 comes as public health officials say Quebec is headed into a sixth wave.

While no new measures are being introduced, the province is offering a second booster dose to Quebecersmost at risk from the virus. As of Tuesday,seniors over 80, immunocompromised people and residents of seniors'homes were able to start receiving a fourthvaccine dose.

Mixed reactions to health plan

Some physicians are criticizing measures in Quebec's plan to reformits beleaguered health-care system by 2025, which includes acceleratingaccess to front-line services through a one-stop phone service, and changingthe way family doctors are paid in an effort to get those doctors to take on more patients.

Montreal family doctor PerleFeldmansays paying doctors per-patient rather than per-act, might encourage some physicians to "game the system" by "cherry picking" only healthy patients instead of those with complex illnesses.

"They will sign up 10,000 patients who have zero health problems, so they can see them once a year for 10 minutes and they're good."

There are some 945,000 Quebecers who are still on the official waiting list for afamily doctor,but it's estimated the actual number of people without one iscloser to 1.5 million.

WATCH| Christian Dubexplains why Quebecers should trust his government's plan:

Pandemic provides opportunity to fix Quebec health care, Dub says

3 years ago

Duration 0:54

The Quebec government unveiled its plan to improve the province's health-care system. Health Minister Christian Dub says the pandemic exposed issues in the system that must be fixed.

Quebec nurses who study part-time pan new contract

Some younger nurses who work and study part-time in Quebec saytheir new collective agreement is forcing them to choose between their jobs and continuing their education.

As part of the new agreement, nurses who used to work two shifts a week now have to work a minimum of four. There are some exceptions, including for full-time students, but not for part-time students likeMarie-Pier L'Ecuyer.

"I'm not going to be able to maintain this type of schedule for the entirety of my master's. It's extremely demanding," she said.

L'Ecuyer, like several other part-time students in her predicament, says she's considering leaving the public system to work for a private agency, where she could have a more flexible schedule.

COVID bonus payextended

Bonus-pay incentives for Quebec health-care workers will be maintained until at least May 14 due to the rising number of COVID-19 case and hospitalizations.

Incentives such asthe four per cent and eightper centbonusesgranted to all workers in the health network were poised to be abolished as of April 16, as part of the government's plan to phase out pandemic measures, but will now be maintained.

These incentives include $1,000paid per four-week periodto encourage workers' attendance, as well as lump sums of $12,000 to $18,000 to attract and retain full-time nurses in the public network.

The $100 bonus offered to part-time staff who work more than 30 hours per week will also be maintained, as well as double-rate remuneration for employees working overtime.

Other incentives, such as the reimbursement of taxi fares, free meals and the reimbursement of parking expenses for employees who work overtime will also be extended until May 14.

Top COVID-19 stories

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