COVID-19: Hospitalizations down 1 as Quebec records 643 cases, 6 new deaths | Globalnews.ca

Quebec reported 643 new cases and six additional deaths Friday as the COVID-19 health crisis continues.

The number of pandemic-related hospitalizations was down by one to 310. Of those patients, 84 were in intensive care units, for a decrease of seven compared with the previous day.

The vaccination campaign saw another 18,077 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered in the last 24 hours. The province has given more than 12.9 million shots to date.

So far, the province says 89 per cent of the population aged 12 and over has received at least one dose, while 84 per cent have received both doses.

On Thursday, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé loosened capacity restrictions for sports and cultural venues with assigned seating, saying it was time for people who are adequately vaccinated to regain a sense of normalcy.

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Spectators must show proof of vaccination and masks will be mandatory to access venues operating fully.

The total caseload since the start of the pandemic climbed to 410,823 on Friday and health officials say 393, 595 have recovered. The death toll linked to the virus has now topped 11,377.

COVID-19 vaccine passports to be required to access Quebec provincial legislature

Quebec’s legislature will soon only be accessible to people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The National Assembly announced a new health order targeting staff, visitors, journalists and politicians on Thursday evening, following a heated debate among the parties.

The governing Coalition Avenir Québec party as well as the Opposition Liberals voted in favour, arguing that elected officials should set an example for the rest of the population regarding vaccination.

Québec solidaire and the Parti Québécois, the third and fourth parties in the legislature, opposed the measure because the public health department has not recommended it.

The vaccine passport requirement is expected to come into effect later in October.

The rule will require political personnel, legislature staff, journalists and visitors to show a piece of ID as well as proof they have been adequately vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access the legislature.

— With files from The Canadian Press and Global News’ Kalina Laframboise