COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Friday

• Quebec reported1,301new cases of COVID-19 and 30more deaths on Friday, with one death no longer attributed to the coronavirus.Since the start of the pandemic, there have been121,195confirmedcases and6,586people have died. Here's a guide to the numbers.
• There are 583peoplein hospital (no change), including 85in intensive care (a decrease of one).
• Having trouble keeping track of what's now closed?Consult our list.
• CBC Montreal is collecting stories from Quebecers who have recovered from COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, pleaseget in touch.

As cases of COVID-19 in the SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean region remain high, the regional health authority says it will hire 10 to 20 new contact tracers and establish a new testing clinic in Jonquire, a borough of Saguenay.

The provincial minister responsible for the region, Andre Laforest, said that since Quebec Health Minister Christian Dub visited the region on Monday, fast action has been taken to address specific problems, including improving access to testing.

The region, which has been under red zone restrictions since Nov. 2,saw a drop in cases on Friday, with 82 new cases compared to 197 on Thursday.

But regional public health director Dr. Donald Aubin said it's important to look at the greater trend, rather than single-day numbers.

"One day is not a viable indicator in terms of epidemiology," Aubin said.

He says even if the region's health-care system is under pressure, health authorities are adjusting their methods in order to respond.

"Everything is under control," Aubin said. "We expect to be able to come back to the level very soon."

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