Quebec is reporting 919 new cases and five more deaths attributable to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis Friday.
It marks the fifth consecutive day that the daily tally of new infections has been under 1,000 as the province deals with the third wave of the pandemic.
Montreal reported the most new cases with 194 while the Montérégie region, south of Montreal, recorded 140. Chaudière-Appalaches, south of Quebec City, saw another 137 infections.
The number of hospitalizations related to the novel coronavirus now stands at 574, a decrease of six from the previous day. This includes 139 patients in intensive care units, a drop of five.
READ MORE: Quebec tops 100,000 daily COVID-19 vaccinations, sets record for appointments booked
The vaccination campaign set a new record, meanwhile, with more than 100,000 shots administered. So far, more than 3.5 million doses have been given in the province.
As of Friday, more than 40 per cent of Quebec’s population has received a first dose of the vaccine.
Appointments are also now open to anyone aged 35 and older. The minimum age requirement will continue to gradually drop over the next week to include all adults in Quebec.
The immunization rollout will then expand to include children above the age of 12.
Health Minister Christian Dubé says the downward trend of COVID-19 indicators is “very good news.”
“It is proof that vaccination and adherence to measures works,” he wrote on social media. “Our efforts will be rewarded.”
READ MORE: Quebec looking to unveil a pandemic reopening plan like Saskatchewan
The latest information shows 41,431 tests were given Wednesday.
The case count, which remains one of the highest in Canada, now stands at 356,216. Meanwhile, authorities say recoveries has topped 336,000.
The pandemic has killed 10,974 people in the province. The tally was amended Friday, however, after an investigation found two previously reported deaths weren’t related to the virus.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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