A hospital in Montreal has fired an employee who allegedly accessed the medical records of 344 patients and workers without professional justification.

Public health officials in Quebec are asking the public to remain calm amid concerns about the new coronavirus, saying potential cases in the province have so far been ruled out.

The Quebec government is backtracking on its plan to expand medical aid in dying to include people with severe and incurable mental illness.

'I want to reassure Quebecers that we are following the situation on an hourly basis,' says Quebec Health Minister Danielle McCann.

Union spokesperson Denyse Joseph called the current overcrowding issue in Quebec emergency rooms inhumane for both the patients and health-care professionals.

Among the highest occupancy rates are those of the Jewish General Hospital, the Lakeshore General Hospital and the Douglas Institute.

Quebec's health minister says the next step in improving the province's health care is changing the way family doctors are paid. 

The ambulance is the second one in the program and it replaces an older vehicle. 

The winter clinics operate from December until March 31, 2020.

Health Minister Danielle McCann said the agreement will ensure ongoing medical care in Quebec's regions.