Canada reported over 1,100 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, including 122 more deaths linked to the disease.
Today’s numbers brings the total number of confirmed cases in Canada to 69,970.
As of May 11, a total of 4,993 people in Canada have died as a result of the coronavirus.
Both Ontario and Quebec once again made up the brunt of Monday’s increase in cases, with the two provinces reporting 308 and 748 new cases, respectively.
Deaths in Quebec — the country’s COVID-19 epicentre — rose to 3,013 on Monday, effectively making up about 60 per cent of Canada’s total fatalities.
Premier François Legault said he was considering postponing the province’s earlier plans to reopen schools and businesses in the Greater Montreal Area over concern for the hard-hit region.
“In Montreal, the situation is not under control, and it’s very worrying,” said Legault during his daily briefing.
Several other provinces reported additional cases of the coronavirus on Monday as well.
Cases in British Columbia increased to 2,353 after reporting an additional 23 cases, whilst Alberta’s case totals rose by 47 on Monday to 6,300.
Both Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia reported single-digit increases to their case totals, bringing their infections to 568 and 1,019, respectively.
Monday’s new cases, which are tallied by Global News from figures released by provincial and federal health authorities, come amid new announcements from the federal government.
Speaking during his daily COVID-19 briefing in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new federal financing for some of the country’s largest employers.
Described by Trudeau as “bridge loans,” the financing would help companies with at least $300 million in revenue to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic.
Trudeau however was quick to make the distinction between the money being used as a bailout for companies that faced insolvency before the crisis, as opposed to a loan.
“These are bridge loans, not bailouts,” said the prime minister.
— With files from The Canadian Press