Quebec health officials have announced 166 new daily cases of COVID-19, the most since June 19.
It’s now the fourth straight day that it has recorded over 140 cases, and the eighth straight day it has surpassed 100.
Before the recent stretch, it had not recorded at least 140 cases since June 25. Between June 26 and July 11, it stayed below 100 daily cases except on two occasions.
The increase in cases comes as Quebec continues to process tests, after officials on July 11 asked anyone who’s been to a Montreal bar since Canada Day to get tested for COVID-19.
Quebec’s testing numbers are reflective of its outputs from two days prior. In its latest 24-hour stretch, the province completed 15,864 tests for COVID-19, which is its highest output since the start of the pandemic, and above its goal of 14,000.
As of Wednesday evening, at least 45 cases have been linked to 14 venues. Montreal public health officials have yet to provide updated statistics, a move that has drawn criticism over its lack of transparency.
On Friday, Premier François Legault said that Quebec’s bars will remain open, after they were given the green light on June 25. Officials instead believe that private gatherings are the root of the problem as cases continue to rise in the province.
On July 9, Quebec decided to enforce new restrictions on bars. It was a move that was implemented after people in Montérégie tested positive for COVID-19, following a visit to a bar in Brossard and a couple of house parties, which have led to at least 20 infections.
Montreal remains the epicentre with 28,000 total cases, up by 49 since Saturday. But the spread of COVID-19 continues to gain pace in surrounding areas of the city, in some cases in connection to bars and parties. The Montérégie region has 8,395 cases (up by 52), Lanaudière has 4,381 (up by 26), Laurentides region has 3,676 (up by 10), and Laval has 5,904 (up by five).
On Sunday, the province also announced one fatality, increasing the death toll to 5,655.
Among the province’s 57,466 total cases throughout the pandemic are 50,050 people who have recovered, up by 23 since Saturday. Of the 1,761 active cases that remain, there are 251 people in hospital (up by three), which includes 18 in intensive care (up by three)
