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COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Friday

  • Quebec reported 108 new cases of COVID-19 and no deaths Friday. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 60,241 confirmed cases and 5,687 people have died.

Quebec is on the cusp of a second wave of COVID-19, and Montrealers need to make sure they don't let down their guard, says Quebec public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda.

In a press conference, Arruda and Montreal Public Health Director Dr. Mylène Drouin said although Quebecers are currently out of confinement, people need to be vigilant to avoid a second lockdown..

Arruda compared the situation to being out on parole, one misstep away from being locked up again.

"I don't want to go back to prison, it was too hard," he said.

Montreal has 29,133 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far and 3,447 deaths.

Even if Quebecers stay vigilant, Arruda said there will be future outbreaks, especially in contexts like schools, which are slated to reopen as usual in the fall.

When asked about masks in schools, Arruda said only that he will make his position public next week.

He did address on school issue, saying there is no plan to limit the movement of substitute teachers. They are not, he said, considered to be as much of a risk to schools as part-time health-care workers were to seniors' homes because generally children are not severly affected by the coronavirus.

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What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

  • Fever.

  • New or worsening cough.

  • Difficulty breathing.

  • Sudden loss of smell without a stuffy nose.

If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks that you call 1‑877‑644‑4545 to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic.

Quebec government reminders for preventing the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands frequently.

  • Avoid touching your face.

  • Stay at least two metres away from other people as much as possible.

  • Self-isolate for 14 days after returning from a stay outside the country.

You can find information on COVID-19 in the province here and information on the situation in Montreal here.