Quebec COVID-19 hospitalizations decrease Wednesday as province announces end of mask mandate

Quebec COVID-19 hospitalizations decreased by 19 patients, ICU numbers were up by two and 30 deaths were added in the last 24 hours.

The latest data shows the province is dealing with 942 active outbreaks.

There have been 15,066 total fatalities since the pandemic began.

Currently 2,176 people are being treated for the virus in hospital – 164 new entries and 183 discharges.

Of those, 78 are in ICU – with eight newly admitted and six released.

A total of 1,630 new infections, with 389 tests self-declared by Quebecers who were positive.

The overall case numbers are likely an undercount as access to PCR tests is limited to specific groups and not everyone self-declares rapid tests.

There are 7,586 health-care workers absent from the system for COVID-related reasons, up from the previous day (preventive withdrawal, isolation, awaiting results, etc.).

Vaccination rates: 18K+ doses administered last 24 hours (19.5M+ total so far).

The latest data comes as the province announced it would be removing its mask mandate for most indoor public spaces on May 14.

For more: Quebec.ca