Quebec reports 785 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations reach 250

Quebec recorded 785 new COVID-19 infections and one additional death Wednesday as pandemic indicators remain on the upswing.

Of the most recent cases, the province says 577 were among unvaccinated people or those who had received only one dose of the vaccine less than 14 days ago.

The number of patients in hospital rose by 20 to 250. Of them, there were 85 people in intensive care, an increase of seven from the day before.

Health officials say 16,123 doses of the novel coronavirus vaccine were given, including 14,896 in the past 24-hour period. The province has doled out more than 12.6 million shots over the course of the campaign.

As of Wednesday, about 88.5 per cent of Quebec residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of vaccine. Meanwhile, about 83.5 per cent are considered adequately vaccinated.

The latest screening information shows 30,326 tests were administered Monday.

Over the course of the health crisis, there have been 399,843 cases in the province. Quebec’s COVID-19 death toll has reached 11,313.

The number of recoveries from the virus stood at 382,050 in the latest update.

Grace period ends for vaccine passports

The two-week amnesty period for the province’s COVID-19 vaccine passport system has come to an end.

As of Wednesday, those who are 13 and older will have to show proof of vaccination to access certain non-essential services or activities. It is required to dine in restaurants, go to the gym or watch a movie at a cinema — among other things.

A paper version of the QR code, a PDF version on mobile devices and the VaxiCode application are all accepted as passports. You can learn more about how the system works by clicking here.

0:29 Quebec hospital visitors must present COVID-19 vaccine passport to enter: health minister

—with files from Global News’ Annabelle Olivier and The Canadian Press