Quebec sees 67 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations remain stable

Quebec recorded 67 new cases and no new deaths as the COVID-19 pandemic’s grip loosens on the province.

Since the last report, 99,987 doses of the novel coronavirus vaccine have been administered. More than 8.8 million shots have been given during the immunization rollout.

Anyone who wants to move up their booster shot can do so online as of Tuesday. Health Minister Christian Dubé announced Monday that the interval between doses has officially been cut in half to four weeks.

The decision gives Quebecers “more flexibility” when it comes to getting their vaccine, he wrote on social media. He urged them to book appointments online or visit walk-in vaccination clinics.

“The second dose is essential to fighting the virus,” he said. “You have to go get it.”

Quebec says 81.8 per cent of those 12 and older have received a first dose and 39.9 per cent of that age group is considered adequately vaccinated.

When it comes to shipments, the province says 184,860 of the 203,580 doses of the Pfizer vaccine expected to arrive this week were received Monday.

Meanwhile, the number of pandemic-related hospitalizations continued to drop. There are 102 patients in total, which remains unchanged from the previous day. The number of intensive care patients also stayed stable at 27.

The latest screening information shows that 11,843 tests were given Sunday.

Since the beginning of the health crisis, Quebec has seen 375,262 cases and 11,218 deaths. There have been more than 363,000 recoveries to date.

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—with files from The Canadian Press