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

• Quebec reported 756new cases ofCOVID-19 on Monday and two newdeaths.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 447,387confirmed cases and 11,576people have died.
• There are 226 people in hospital (an increase of 10), including 45in intensive care (a decrease of three).
• The province has administered 13,594,078doses of theCOVID-19 vaccine, including 22,048 doses in the last 24 hours.
• 85 per cent of the eligible population in the province (age five and up) hasreceived one dose of vaccine, and 81per cent hasreceived two doses.

Note: Quebec's vaccination rate has been adjusted to include five- to 11-year-olds, causing the overall percentage to drop. Vaccinations for the group began on Wednesday.

Quebec'sHealth Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays.

One case of the new omicron COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in Quebec, the provincial government announced Monday.

Public Health Director Dr. Horacio Arruda, speaking at a news conference, said tests revealed the newstrain ina woman who had recently returned from Nigeria.

This comes after two cases of variant, also from Nigeria,were confirmed in Ottawa. Those cases were found to have returned to the country through Montreal's airport.

The news comes twodays after Canadaimplemented new travel restrictions on foreign nationals who had visited several countries in southern Africa over the preceding two weeks.

Health Minister Christian Dub said that about 115 travellers from southern African countries were asked to take a new COVID-19 test and isolate.

The omicron variant was first identified by South African researchers and has provoked global concern.

In a statement released Sunday, Canada's Health MinisterJean-Yves Duclossaid the confirmation of two omicron cases isa signal that the country's monitoring system isworking but to expect more cases of the variant.

In a tweet Sunday, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubsaid the ministry is following the situation closely with the province's public health department (INSPQ)to observe the evolution of the variant in the province.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said border measures could change as the situation develops.

Busking resumes in Metro

Musicians can once again perform in the Metro, starting today.

For the first time in20 months, theSocit de transport de Montral(STM)has authorized only five locations where musicians can play: three at Berri-UQAM, one at Guy-Concordia and one at Jean-Talon station.Artists will have to reserve a two-hour time slot online and wear a mask when performing unless they're playing a wind instrument.

Vaccinations for kids 5 to 11 in full swing

Vaccines will be administered in schoolsto children age five to 11whose parents have signed consent forms, starting today.

Health Minister Christian Dubthanked parents and families onMonday, saying that over a third of all children in the province have been vaccinated or have an appointment. He said about 20,000 children are getting vaccinatedevery day.

He said he expects those numbers to rise as the school campaign begins.

Quebecis hoping to give one dose to each eligible child by Christmas.

WATCH | Quebec's vaccine program for children explained:

Quebecs COVID-19 vaccination program for children explained

3 years ago

Duration 2:26

Quebec children age five to 11 can now get their shots. The premier hopes parents will get their kids vaccinated, but he doesn't want to pressure them.

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