1) The #pandemic is once again surging in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec as it had last September, but this time it’s the more contagious variants — and not a karaoke bar — that’s driving the transmission. In this thread, I will focus on the regions beyond Montreal.
2) On March 21, the region that includes the provincial capital recorded 35 #COVID19 cases. By Sunday, that number more than tripled to 114. Also on Sunday, Quebec’s public health institute noted an increase of 94 variant cases in this region. Please see the chart below. 
3) In the past two days alone, at least 13 schools in the Quebec City area announced they had suspected or confirmed variant cases, according to covidecolesquebec.org, which has been providing timelier updates on the variants than the Education Ministry.
4) What’s more, #COVID19 admissions have been creeping up in three of Capitale-Nationale’s four hospitals. And within the past 24 hours, an outbreak at the CHSLD Alphonse-Bonenfant added two more infections among residents for a total of eight.
5) The neighboring Chaudière-Appalaches region has gone from posting six #COVID19 cases on March 21 to 48 by Sunday. It also declared 68 more variant cases. Some other regions, all of them currently zoned orange on the #pandemic alert scale, are observing increases, too.
6) Technically, the Outaouais region bordering Ontario (clearly in a third wave) should have gone from orange to red by now, given its rising transmission. The same could apply to Chaudière-Appalaches. We’ll see whether authorities change those regions to red in the coming days.
7) For four days in a row, the number of #COVID19 outbreaks across the province has increased. On Sunday, the total climbed by nine to 649, with clusters rising by six to 300 in the workplace. The health care (71) and daycare (80) sectors each reported one new outbreak.
8) Although cases are climbing in outlying regions, Montreal has remained in a #COVID19 plateau for the past 29 days. The city on Sunday posted 280 cases, down from 367 the day before. Please take a look at the chart below.
9) Meanwhile, nearly 46,000 Quebecers were vaccinated on Saturday. Thus far, 14.4% of Quebec’s population has been partially vaccinated. Unlike the other provinces and territories, Quebec is not providing data on full vaccination. Please view the chart below.
10) Health Minister Christian Dubé noted earlier Sunday that there were some open vaccination slots in Montreal for those who are at least 60 years old. Perhaps it’s time to consider lowering the age threshold to 55. End of thread. Please limit your social contacts.
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