Montreal still fragile, regions doing well
Quebec Premier Francois Legault began his daily COVID-19 press briefing by clarifying the mixed messages coming from the government as part of an evolving situation.
“The situation evolves, we adapt,” Legault said.
He acknowledged that many Quebecers are confused about why business can open and kids can go back to school, but families can’t get together for a backyard barbecue.
Legault explained that the things need to move gradually.
The premier also addressed concerns from people outside of Montreal worried that people from the city, the national epicentre for COVID-19 at the moment, could travel to the regions and spread the disease.
“We’re all in the same boat,” Legault said, adding that as long as social distancing measures are maintained the risk is low.
There were 85 new deaths in Quebec in the last day, bringing the total to 3,013.
Legault said 82 of those deaths happened in the Greater Montreal area.
Quebec currently has 38,468 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 748 from yesterday.
There are 1,838 Covid-19-related hospitalizations, 193 of which are in intensive care.
So far 9,703 people have recovered from the virus.
Legault said three factors play into why Quebec has a higher death toll than any other province:
Spring break in the province came at the worst possible moment; in Quebec,
While a gathering was out of the question to celebrate the 100th birthday of WWII veteran Rolf Bentzen, a quiet but important ceremony was held in the parking lot of Le Renaissance Manoir St-francis in Lennoxville yesterday morning.
Members of the North Hatley Legion and the Army Navy and Air Force (ANAF) paraded through the parking lot, accompanied by two military vehicles from the Sherbrooke Hussars displaying a banner wishing Bentzen a happy 100th birthday.
Bentzen served as an Armoured
Vehicle Group member during D-day landings.
A select group of family and friends joined Bentzen outside during the brief ceremony along with residents from the manor who watched from their balconies. the