Hospitalizations jump by 25 per cent in a week

The number of COVID -19 patients in Quebec hospitals jumped by 22 on Monday as health authorities reported 1,599 new infections and two more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus. The number of patients in hospitals has risen by 127, or 25 per cent, over the past week.

Provincial health authorities said 52,705 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered on Sunday, for a total of 1,944,877; nearly 23 per cent of Quebec's population has received at least one dose.

Quebec has 12,971 active reported infections.

Montreal reported 358 new infections. The Quebec City area reported 282, down from last week's high of 449.

The Outaouais region reported 290 new cases, while the Chaudiere-appalaches region reported 173.

Regional health authorities in Quebec City said Monday that the number of cases tied to a superspreader event at a local gym had risen to 222.

The cases at the Mega Fitness Gym are linked to 356 secondary infections and 49 outbreaks.

Meanwhile, the province expanded its vaccination program Monday to include people in the Montreal area living with chronic illnesses and some underlying conditions that put them at risk of COVID -19.

Eligible people include those who are hospitalized for a condition such as heart, kidney or lung disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and some forms of immunosuppression.