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Quebec records under 500 new COVID-19 cases as vaccinations top 4.9 million

People are shown at the Bill Durnan Arena COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Saturday, May 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Quebec is again reporting its lowest daily case count since September this weekend with 477 new COVID-19 infections, and three additional virus-related deaths.

On Sunday, the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations dropped by three from Saturday to 421. Of those, 103 patients are in the ICU, the same number as yesterday.

READ MORE: Quebec records lowest COVID-19 case count since September with 505 new infections

One of the three deaths was recorded in the last 24 hours. The death toll now stands at 11,084.

Click to play video: 'Strong demand for COVID-19 vaccines for kids 12 to 17, Montreal health unit says'
Strong demand for COVID-19 vaccines for kids 12 to 17, Montreal health unit says

Quebec has reported more than 367,376 COVID-19 infections since the pandemic hit the province. At least 350,270 cases have recovered.

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The province saw 83,871 doses of the vaccine administered on Saturday, adding to the total of over 4.9 million shots given since the start of the province’s immunization program in December.

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READ MORE: Young adults in Quebec urged to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments

The province’s public health institute said on Friday that 52.5 per cent of all Quebecers have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

The government is also urging young adults who haven’t booked their shots to do so before appointments open to teens across Quebec next week.

Health Minister Christian Dubé announced that youth between the ages of 12 and 17 would be able to book appointments for COVID-19 vaccines as of May 25, but could get shots at certain walk-in or drive-thru clinics before then.

Click to play video: 'Pierrefonds-Roxboro mayor concerned with overcrowding at Cap St. Jacques Beach'
Pierrefonds-Roxboro mayor concerned with overcrowding at Cap St. Jacques Beach

The province will begin a school vaccination program the weeks of June 7 and June 14, with the goal of finishing the delivery of first shots by June 23.

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While initial demand from teens seemed strong, it appears to have slowed in the 18 to 44 age group.

As of Saturday, Dubé said that group was still falling short of meeting the province’s target of having 75 per cent of its population making an appointment or receiving a first shot.

On Sunday, he reminded Quebecers to book their appointments and continue following all the health measures in place as the province moves towards putting its reopening plan into effect later this week.

–with files from the Canadian Press and Kalina Laframboise, Global News

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