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

• Quebec reported 13,149new cases ofCOVID-19 on Wednesday and 10new deaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 572,419confirmed cases and11,702people have died.
• There are 804people in hospital (an increase of 102 from the previous day),including 122 in intensive care (an increase of seven).
• The province has administered 14,900,242doses ofCOVID-19 vaccines as of Wednesday.
• 89per cent of the eligible population in the province (ages five and up) hasreceived one dose of vaccine, 82per cent hasreceived two doses, and 14per cent have received three doses.

*Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays. It will not be publishing daily COVID-19 data on Dec. 24, 25, and 26, as well as Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and 2.

Quebec's website to book appointmentsforaCOVID-19 PCR test is down, after issues caused clinics to severely over-book appointmentsas theystruggle to keep up with high demand.

As of Wednesday afternoon,an alert reads the siteis currently undergoing maintenance and should be available shortly.

This comes after a clinic in Laval suddenly had an extra 1,200 appointments booked for one time slot on Wednesday. The clinic, located atcity hall, was forced to turnhundreds of clients away.

Laval police werecalled to the scene to deal with the crowd, but made no arrests.

The Laval site is currently operating without access to its appointment system and is evaluating people's need for tests on a case-by-case basis.

The province reminds people that screening at a screening centreshould only be considered if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and you cannot take a rapid test.

No more rapid tests in Quebec pharmacies

Quebec pharmacies have run out of rapid tests, according to a group representing pharmacist-owners, the Association qubcoise des pharmaciens propritaires.

The association's president told Radio-Canada that more rapid tests likely won't be available until next week, and when those tests will be delivered has yet to be confirmed.

"It does not help to contact us to try to get some," said Benoit Morin. "There arenone at the moment."

Union rejects keeping infected workers on the job

TheFSSS-CSN union is speaking out against Quebec's decision to allow some health-care workers infected with COVID-19 toreport for work without isolating.

Rjean Leclerc, president of the union,says allowing employees who tested positive to treat patients is counterproductive.

"There are enough sick peoplein hospital and to add infected staff, even asymptomatic ones,increasesthe risks of contagion amongemployees and generatingmore absences," he told Radio-Canada's Tout un matin.

Health Minister Christian Dubannounced Tuesday that some health-care workers who test positive for the virus no longer need to isolate given therisingnumber of COVID-related absences.He said decisions would be made ona "case-by-case" basis.

More than 700 people are currently hospitalized with the disease. Over the last week, the province increased the number of available COVIDbeds, causing delays to other non-urgent medical procedures.

Dub said the province is still learning about how severe the majority of Omicron variant cases will be, and urged all Quebecers to get vaccinated.

WATCH | Public health director gives examples of when COVID-positive employees can keep working:

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Priority groupsfor3rddoses

The health minister also announced Quebec is widening the scope of its third-dose campaign.

Starting Jan. 4, people age55-59 will be eligible to book appointments for a booster.

Currently, health-care workers in the private sector, childcare and school staff, public security workers, food inspectors,slaughterhouse staff andpeople60 and older can book their appointment for a third dose online.

The goal is to vaccinate between two and three million people every month, and to have administered third doses to every eligible Quebecer who wants one by March.

Dub saidthat Ottawa had indicated it may be able to provide around 300 Red Cross members to assist with vaccinations.

Cases soar in Magdalen Islands and Gaspsie

The regional health authority in the Magdalen Islands is reporting 38 active cases of COVID-19. It's a new record for the region, which had only about 50 cases during the entire pandemic before this new wave.

"It's bringing us to an extreme vigilance," said the CISSS des les president Sophie Doucet during a press conference on Wednesday.

Health authorities in Gaspsie and the Magdalen Islands are now asking those who tested positive to inform their close contacts, because they no longer have the capacity to do contact tracing for everyone.

Health officials say there is some good news as well. 22,526 Gaspsie residents got a booster shot, hospitalization for COVID-19 remains low in both regions, and the rapid surge in cases hasn't impacted services yet.

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• What to do if you think you have the Omicron variant
• Long lines and little stock as Quebec starts rapid test rollout
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