732 new COVID-19 cases, 6 new deaths in Quebec
Posted March 31, 2020 1:38 pm.
Last Updated March 31, 2020 1:50 pm.
MONTREAL – The COVID-19 case count in Quebec has made a dramatic jump over the last 24 hours, with the addition of 732 cases and six more deaths.
The provincial total is now at 4,162 confirmed or presumptive cases, 286 of which have sent people to the hospital. Eighty-two infected Quebecers are in the ICU.
In an update Tuesday, Premier François Legault said the province was working hard to get more medical equipment to help manage the outbreak.
#Quebec working hard to acquire more medical equipment. Premier Legault says the province has about 3-7 days worth of equipment in some instances, but orders should be coming in shortly for more. #qcpoli #COVID19
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) March 31, 2020
Legault said Quebec has about three to seven days worth of equipment but additional orders of equipment should be arriving in the coming days.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has sent some medical equipment to Quebec, and Legault says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland have also been helpful in trying to secure more supplies for Quebec amid the health crisis.
In the interim, Quebec Director of Public Health Dr. Horacio Arruda says tight management of supplies, such as masks, is needed and physical distancing remains essential to flattening the curve.
“And the wearing of masks will never replace social distancing as the crucial element in fighting COVID-19 in a community setting,” he said.
“If someone wants to make a mask out of fabric to use in the community, go ahead. But I don’t want it to replace the more important elements of prevention.”
The province is asking anyone using masks to use them “appropriately and judiciously”.
