1) One in ten positive #COVID tests is now screening for the more transmissible variants in Quebec — a situation that worries public health officials and Premier François Legault, who acknowledged that next week’s March break will be a “big test” in the #pandemic.
2) On Tuesday, the number of presumptive #COVID19 variant cases jumped by 69 to 484. Recall that less than two week ago, on Feb. 10, Quebec reported just 23 presumptive cases involving the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants. 
3) Ontario, by comparison, has posted a cumulative total of 1,527 presumptive variant cases — that is positive test results with the N501Y gene mutation of the sticky spike protein on the #coronavirus. All three major variants, including P.1, share that mutation.
4) Unlike Quebec, Ontario has published much more detailed stats on the #COVID19 variants, including presumptive cases by region. But covidecolesquebec.org, a purely volunteer effort, has performed stand-out work in compiling variants by school in Quebec.
5) As you can see from the chart below, the vast majority of presumptive #COVID19 variant cases are occurring in elementary schools. Does this have something to do with the fact that — except for Grades 5 and 6 — pupils at the primary level don’t have to wear masks in class?
6) Nearly three weeks ago, a village in Italy reported that 10% of residents tested positive for B.1.1.7, and 60% of the cases were children from kindergarten and elementary school, “who in turn, infected their families,” the mayor of Corzano said.
7) The experience in the Italian village might explain why Quebec public health officials haven’t hesitated to shut down a school at the slightest hint of a variant. It also explains why Legault said next week will be a "big test," when parents are at home with their children.
8) On Tuesday, the number of #COVID19 outbreaks in schools rose by 15 to 297. The Education Ministry noted that 97 more classrooms were shuttered, likely the result of the proliferation of the variants. Please see the chart below.
9) But public health authorities in Quebec shouldn’t simply presume the variants are limited to schools only. At least one epidemiologist, Benoît Mâsse, said the province can expect the more contagious variant cases in the workplace, too.
10) And during next week’s March break, shopping malls will likely be packed, along with retail stores, swimming pools, hockey arenas and possibly cinemas — minus the popcorn. At the same time, city emergency rooms will likely be as overcrowded as ever. End of thread.
Addendum: The following charts could not fit into this thread. The first chart shows the number of #COVID19 cases in Montreal declining to 360 on Tuesday. The city’s seven-day rolling average stands at 17.96 cases per 100,000 residents.
Addendum 2: At the neighborhood level, the chart below shows that transmission of the #coronavirus is picking up in the centre and West Island of Montreal. See the chart below.
Addendum 3: And finally, the chart below shows what appears to be an undeniable and welcome trend of #COVID19 deaths dropping in Montreal. This is likely the result of #COVID19 vaccination, plus the #pandemic restrictions.
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