Health officials in Quebec recorded 98 additional fatalities on Thursday, raising the province’s death toll to 1,859.
Ninety-two of the fatalities occurred in long-term care homes and seniors’ residences, while six are among the general population, according to Premier François Legault.
He says the COVID-19 situation is under control in Quebec, except for in long-term care facilities, where deaths continue to occur.
“We will do everything to save the majority but we have to be realistic. … It is certain there will continue to be a lot of deaths over the next days and weeks,” said Legault.
The province also recorded 944 new patients, for a total of 27,538. Legault says there are about 4,400 residents of long-term care facilities who are infected, and that the vast majority are among 280 long-term care facilities.
Among the province’s total cases, there are 6,299 people who have recovered from the virus, an increase of 251 since Tuesday; 1,684 people are in hospital (up by 36), while 214 are in intensive care (a decrease of eight).
Montreal remains the epicentre with 13,324 cases and 1,146 fatalities, increases of 513 and 68, respectively. Laval is the only other region with over 200 fatalities, while there are six regions in Quebec with at least 1,000 cases.
“If the situation deteriorates, there will not be a reopening in Montreal,” said Legault, while noting there are three hospitals in the region with significant outbreaks. “I will not hesitate. I will not take any risks.”
As of April 30, the province has also seen 186,509 negative COVID-19 tests.
