COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Wednesday

• Quebec reported1,217 new caseson Wednesday and 6more deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been340,397confirmed cases and10,838people have died.
• There are 718people in hospital (an increase of 22), including 178 in intensive care (an increase of one).
• 54,410vaccinedoses were administered in the last 24 hours for atotal of2,503,910sinceDec. 14.

A first case of B1617, a COVID-19 variant first detected in India, has been identified in Quebec's MauricieCentre-du-Qubecregion, according to public health.

Dr. Alain Lamarre, an immunologist and virologist with Quebec's research institute(INRS), says it's not clear if the infection is due to travel abroad. TheMauricieCentre-du-Qubecregion region is between Montreal and Quebec City.

This news comes as the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine was made available to Quebecerswho are between 45 and79. The vaccine instantly proved popular as walk-in vaccine sites were buzzing Wednesday morning as people showed up for a shot.

Some 47,000 appointments werebooked for the next seven days, Quebec public health says.

The change in age eligibility means the AstraZeneca shot is now available to 800,000 Quebecers, but Health Minister Christian Dub pointed out that only 200,000 doses were available.

Marie Bureau, who is 51 and newly eligible, was among those whoshowed up early this morning at the Bill Durnan arena in Cte-des-Neiges to get vaccinated.

"Getting [the vaccine] early is better than waiting," she said. "It's a relief. It's one good thing, done basically."

Previously,the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine wasavailable onlyto Quebecers between the ages of 55 and 79, in line with recommendations from the National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI).Several provinces loweredthe eligible age to 40 years and older.

NACI is expected to update its guidelines as well in the coming days.

WATCH| Arruda gets vaccinated, and encourages others to follow suit:

Quebec's public health director gets 1st vaccine dose

3 years ago

Duration 1:12

Quebec's Public Health Director, Horacio Arruda, urged citizens to get their COVID-19 shot after he received his first jab Monday morning at a pharmacy in Saint-Eustache, Que.

A push for vaccinations in Beauce

The province istrying to boost low vaccination numbers in the Chaudire-Appalaches region.

As of today, the regional health authority will set upmobile vaccination sites at some workplaces, hoping to reach people who want to get the shot, but have struggled to make time for it.

Indigenous people living in the Montreal region will also be able to get vaccinated as of Friday. Gohere for more information.

Top COVID-19 stories today

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• Lessons from Quebec City's gym outbreak, one of Canada's largest COVID-19 superspreading events.
• More than 200 travellers fined for refusing to quarantine in hotels after landing in Canada.