1) Nearly three weeks into Quebec’s partial lockdown, the number of workplace #COVID19 outbreaks in Montreal grew to 68 on Tuesday from 65 a week earlier. In this thread, I will delve into how the #coronavirus is spreading into an expanding number of businesses.
2) First, it appears the decision to shut bars and restaurants has paid off in the metropolis, with the latest chart by the Montreal public health department showing a drop of five #COVID19 outbreaks in such businesses, along with hotels, motels and temporary employment agencies. 
3) On the other hand, the #coronavirus has caused three #COVID19 clusters in the chemical industry, including possibly in pharmaceutical plants. Other businesses that have declared outbreaks since last week involve rubber and plastics products, construction, textiles and retail.
4) This trend suggests that despite the partial lockdown, the #pandemic is broadening its impact in Montreal. It’s not just circulating in the community, in schools and in eldercare homes, but in a wider range of industries beyond retail and hospitality.
5) Meanwhile, Montreal declared its biggest increase in its #COVID19 death toll in more than two months on Tuesday, with nine fatalities added. It’s likely most of those deaths occurred in the days before. The city’s death toll now stands at 3,516. Please the chart below.
6) A day after I tweeted about missing #COVID19 numbers in the province’s seniors’ residences, the Quebec government made public one of its most confusing updates during the #pandemic’s second wave. The Montreal chart below, full of pluses and minuses, simply cannot be trusted.
7) Montreal appears to have recorded 273 #COVID19 infections on Tuesday, but that figure is likely unreliable and will probably be revised. It also comes amid a dramatic drop in the number of tests. Still, the chart below shows an overall trend of a plateau in cases in the city.
8) Premier François Legault acknowledged Tuesday that Quebec’s health-care system is “running on empty,” but he refused to raise nurses’ wages beyond the rate of inflation. Some of those nurses are working in city ERs that are as overcrowded as ever. In a #pandemic. See below.
9) If there was any good news to report Tuesday, it’s that the number of active cases in the province’s schools dipped by 17. More significant is the fact that 47 fewer classes were shuttered due to #COVID19. See the chart below. Still, it’s too early to conclude this is a trend.
10) Health Minister Christian Dubé declined to say whether the government will lift its pandemic lockdown a week from tomorrow, after his so-called 28-day challenge. Given the expanding contagion in the city, I would be surprised if he did. End of thread. Stay safe everyone.
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