Quebec Premier François Legault says he has no immediate plans to change health measures in place but that could change as the province recorded 187 new novel coronavirus cases Thursday.
The spike in new infections comes amid news of a COVID-19 outbreak at a Quebec City karaoke bar, which is connected to about 50 recent cases in the area.
“We’re not at the stage where we’d say we’re going to close all karaokes or close all bars because there are a few who aren’t following the rules,” Legault told reporters.
Legault admitted the uptick in cases is worrisome, but that is why he is calling on Quebecers to be more vigilant to stave off a possible second wave.
“The trend is not good,” he said, adding if restrictions or shutdowns are to take effect it would be region by region.
Legault warned if the number of new daily cases continues to increase, authorities will revisit recent decisions to open bars and to allow indoor public gatherings of up to 250 people.
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“Do we have to go back on those decisions? For now, no, but eventually we can’t exclude that.”
The province will also soon publish data on cases in schools, according to Legault. He said that the situation is currently under control in the education system.
Health authorities in Quebec have reported a total of 62,933 infections attributable to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and 55,615 recoveries to date.
Since the pandemic began, the province’s death toll remains the highest in the country at 5,767. Three deaths were recorded Thursday, but they stem from late August.
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There are fewer hospitalizations. Authorities say 100 patients are in hospital, a decrease of nine from the previous day.
The number of patients in intensive care remains unchanged at 20.
The latest testing information shows 15,277 coronavirus tests were administered Tuesday. In Quebec, 1,702,115 tests have been given to date.
— With files from the Canadian Press
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