Dub urges residents in SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean, where COVID-19 is surging, to heed public health guidelines

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dub travelled to Saguenay on Monday to urge residents to follow the public health guidelines with the number of cases in the region on the rise.

The region, north of Quebec City,waslargely unaffected bythe first wave, but has seen a rise in cases over the past week, posting more than 100 cases a day for several days.

At a news conference, Dub urged residents to follow the example of Quebec City, which not long ago was a hot spot but has succeeded in curbing the spread of the virus.

Dub said the local community can expect a rise in cases before the effects of the restrictions put in Nov. 2 have an impact, and the numbers come down.

Saguenay Mayor Jose Nronsaid the situation in her community is troubling.

"We need to be more careful than we have been up until now," Nron said. "We must be extra vigilant and apply the instructions of public health."