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

• Quebec reported 703 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and one new death.
• Since the start of the pandemic, there have been395,155confirmed casesand11,297people have died.
• There are 198people in hospital (an increase of 20),including 70in intensive care(a decrease of one).
• 25,737vaccine dosesadministered were reportedon Thursday for a total of12,543,668doses administered in Quebec.
• 87per cent of the eligible population in the province (age 12 and up) hasreceived one dose of vaccine, and 81per cent have received two doses.

With a little more than a month remaining until unvaccinated health-care staff in Quebec are subject to suspensions without pay, tens of thousands of workers are still not adequately protected against COVID-19.

According to the province's Health Ministry, 92 per cent of workers in the public sector have received one dose and 88 per cent have received two.

That translates to roughly 25,800 public health-care staff who are not adequately vaccinated. In the private system, the total is about 30,000.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Health Minister Christian Dub announced they would be suspended without pay as of Oct. 15, if they do not get the required shots.

Premier Franois Legaultalso highlighted the recent increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations as a key reason for this new policy.

In the last month, the number of people in hospital due to the virus has more than tripled going from 55 to 178.

During that sameperiod, the number of people receiving intensive care has increased fivefold, going from 14 to 71.

WATCH | Quebec takes a hard line against unvaccinated health workers

Quebec takes a hard line against unvaccinated health workers

3 years ago

Duration 1:16

The Quebec government will suspend any health or social service employee without pay who is not vaccinated by Oct. 15, says the province's health minister, Christian Dub. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Getting used to vaccination passport

It's been a week since Quebecersbegan scanningtheir VaxiCode appin order to gain entry into a long list of businesses and non-essential activities.

Although the passports are now required,strict enforcement of the new rules won't begin until Sept. 15.

If you need help understanding how the passport applies and where it will be used,go here.

WATCH | We tested out Quebec's vaccine passport on its first day:

How does Quebec's vaccination passport really work? We tested it out

3 years ago

Duration 2:54

Verity Stevenson headed out in Montreal on the first day of the new measures and has a practical guide to how it all works.

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