IT HAS BEEN A LONG, ROUGH EIGHT WEEKS
A look at some COVID-19 stats to show where the province is today, writes Andy Riga.
Eight weeks ago, Quebec declared a health emergency and began going into lockdown, closing daycares, schools, CEGEPS, universities and, eventually, all non-essential businesses.
As Quebec starts to reopen in fits and starts, here are some key COVID-19 statistics to show where the province is today — and a timeline to illustrate the rough road it has travelled, particularly in Montreal, Canada’s epicentre.
Let’s take a look at the numbers. 2,725 Number of deaths. Since Quebec recorded its first COVID-19 death on March 18, an average of about 52 people per day have died of the disease. Across Canada, almost 5,000 people have lost their lives so far. Quebec, with about 23 per cent of Canada’s population, has just under 60 per cent of its deaths.
63 Percentage of Quebec deaths that have occurred in CHSLDS (Quebec long-term care centres). 1,727 Number of deaths on the island of Montreal. It has just under one-quarter of Quebec’s population, but 63 per cent of the province’s deaths. Laval — with 356 deaths (13 per cent of the provincial total) — is the second-hardest hit area.
36,150 Number of cases. Since the first case was reported on Feb. 27, an average of just over 500 cases per day have been recorded. 18,435
Number of cases on the island of Montreal. That’s 51 per cent of the Quebec total. Montérégie, south of Montreal, has the second-largest number of cases — 4,344 (12 per cent of the provincial total).
40.4 Percentage of the Quebecers who died who were in their 80s. Another 33.4 per cent were 90 or older, while 17.2 per cent were in their 70s and 6.5 per cent were in their 60s. Together, these age groups — people over 60 — made up a total of 97.5 per cent of all the deaths.
423 Confirmed cases in Quebec per 100,000 population. Among Canadian provinces, that’s by far the highest rate. After Quebec comes Alberta (136) and Ontario (133). The provincial average is 175. 2nd
Ranking of Quebec in cases per 100,000 population, compared with nine countries the province is tracking. The only country with a higher rate than Quebec is Spain, with 556. After Quebec, comes the United States (392) and Italy (357).
5th Ranking of Quebec in deaths per one million population, compared with nine countries monitored by the province. Quebec’s rate is 319 per one million. Four countries have higher rates — Spain (562), Italy (495), United Kingdom (451) and France (398).
3,120 Number of tests performed in Quebec per 100,000 population. That is the third-highest rate in Canada, after Alberta (3,705) and Nova Scotia (3,487). The provincial average is 2,724.
QUEBEC CORONAVIRUS TIMELINE
Feb. 27: First COVID-19 case reported in Quebec.
March 9: Canada confirms its first death, in British Columbia. March 11: The World Health Organization declares the outbreak a pandemic.
March 13: Quebec declares a health emergency. Elementary and high schools close in Montreal; three days later, schools across the province are shut.
March 14: Quebecers over 70 are told not to leave home. Canadian travellers in foreign countries are urged to head home.
March 15: Many gathering places are ordered to close in Quebec, including bars, concert halls, pools and arenas. Restaurants are told to halve seating capacity. Places of worship are shut. Quebec’s physical-distancing guidelines suggest people keep one metre apart. March 16: Canada announces it will close the border to most international travel, with the exception of Americans. Two days later, the Canada-u.s. border also closes. March 18: First death reported in Quebec.
March 19: Travel between Quebec regions is discouraged.
March 21: Indoor, outdoor gatherings are banned across the province.
March 22: Malls, hair salons and other businesses are ordered closed.
March 23: All CHSLDS are placed in quarantine. Total Quebec cases top 1,000.
March 24: All non-essential services are ordered closed.
March 27: Quebec’s physical-distancing guideline is doubled to two metres. Non-essential travel to and from Montreal and the Eastern Townships is banned.
April 4: Police start issuing $1,000 tickets to people in banned gatherings.
April 5: Quebec deaths top 100. April 7: Total cases top 10,000. April 8: Quebec announces all CHSLD workers will be screened for COVID-19.
April 10: Festivals and sporting events are cancelled until Aug. 31. April 15: The largest single-day increase in cases is reported — 1,118. April 20: Some residential construction projects resume. Deaths top 1,000. Total cases top 20,000. April 22: With thousands of workers staying home because they’re sick, in quarantine or afraid, Quebec asks Ottawa to send 1,000 soldiers to help in long-term care centres.
April 30: The largest single-day increase in the death toll is reported — 163. Total deaths top 2,000.
May 2: Total cases top 30,000. May 4: Some non-essential businesses reopen outside Montreal. May 5: The first outbreak at a daycare is disclosed, affecting 12 children and four employees in Mascouche.
May 7: With the virus showing no signs of slowing down in Montreal region, Quebec delays reopening the area’s daycares, elementary schools and businesses until at least May 25. It’s the second time the dire situation has led to a delay in the reopening of businesses — and the third postponement of the return to daycares and classrooms. In the rest of Quebec, daycares and elementary schools are scheduled to reopen on May 11.
May 8: With widespread community transmission in several Montreal neighbourhoods, Quebec unveils a “mass screening” plan for the region.