Quebec adds 669 new coronavirus cases, 20 more deaths as hospitalizations drop

Quebec is reporting 669 new COVID-19 cases and 20 additional deaths, including six in the past 24 hours, on Tuesday.

Over the course of the health crisis, the province has seen 278,187 novel coronavirus cases. Recoveries, meanwhile, stand at 258,542.

The death toll, which remains the highest in Canada, has reached 10,246. However, it was amended to remove three fatalities previously attributed to the virus following an investigation.

Hospitalizations linked to the pandemic also remain on the downswing, with 33 fewer patients compared to the previous day for a total of 771. Of those patients, 134 are in intensive care units, a decrease of two.

Since Feb. 7, COVID-19-related hospitalizations have dropped by 198 in Quebec.

Health authorities say 16,824 tests were given Sunday, the latest day for which screening information is available. So far, more than six million tests have been administered.

Quebec vaccinated 2,732 people Monday. Since December, 297,694 doses have been given across the province. The inoculation campaign has mostly focused on residents in long-term care homes and health-care workers, but officials say they plan to ramp up vaccinations in seniors’ residences next.

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— With files from The Canadian Press