Quebec also tightens rules for schools in red zones and closes gyms
Quebec public health has announced 1,191 new COVID-19 cases in their daily update on Monday morning, the largest increase since the start of the pandemic.
This marks the fourth day in a row Quebec has recorded more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19, with the highest increases reported in Montreal (329), Quebec City (265) and Laval (173).
According to Santé Quebec, there are now 79,650 cases in the region, 361 hospitalizations, and 62 patients in intensive care.
Quebec also revealed that six more people have died due to COVID-19, for a total of 5,884 since the start of the pandemic. Two of those deaths, however, occurred between September 28 and October 3 and another at an unknown date.
As the second wave continues to sweep over the province, three new towns in the Gaspé region will officially go into the red zone as of 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
With the news, the Quebec government is also tightening health measures for schools in the 'red zone’.
Starting Thursday, Oct. 8 and until at least Oct. 28, all students in high school must always wear masks in class and on school grounds. It was also announced that students in Grades 10 and 11 will be moved to a hybrid school model and go to school on alternate days. On days when they are not in school, they will learn remotely.
Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge made the announcement during a press conference at 1 p.m. alongside Isabelle Charest and Higher Education Minister Danielle McCann.
“We want to do everything to keep our schools open,” Jean-François Roberge told reporters in Montreal.
“We are doing this because we love our students,” Roberge said.
Isabelle Charest, the junior minister responsible for sports, also announced that as of October 8, all gyms in Quebec's red zones must close for a minimum of 20 days. Along with gyms, all organized sports and leisure activities in these regions, apart from those practiced alone, must stop for the same amount of time.
