1) Premier @francoislegault often boasts how Quebec tests so much for #COVID19. But the one province he never mentions is the true leader, Alberta, which is testing asymptomatic Calgarians, something Montreal won't consider. Please click on my story below. https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/analysis-why-isnt-montreal-following-calgarys-example-in-asymptomatic-testing/wcm/c9fbbe39-9f03-4200-b08e-1c375a262ad3/

2) As my column in the @mtlgazette makes clear, testing is essential in fighting the #pandemic. In the last few days, #COVID screening has gone down, but authorities still completed more than 10,000 analyses on Monday. The chart below shows a dip in new cases in Montreal.

3) What’s more impressive is the Montreal public health department for the first time disclosed the number of so-called community #COVID cases. It shows a 13% decline for the metropolis from May 19 to May 25, a truly heartening development.

4) But the red bars in the chart below nonetheless point to increases in community cases in eight boroughs or municipalities on the island of Montreal. Côte-Saint-Luc, which was the original #COVID hot spot, has surprisingly reported a hike of 67%.

5) These new numbers suggest if we’re not careful, #COVID outbreaks can flare up again quickly. We must stay vigilant and maintain #PhysicalDistancing. The numbers also demonstrate the importance of testing everyone, even asymptomatic individuals. But Montreal refuses to do this.

6) One of the boroughs that’s observing sustained community transmission is Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension, which has posted 185 new #COVID infections outside of hospitals and nursing homes. The dark blue bars in the chart below show the extent of the community contagion.

7) It would be naive to presume the reopening of stores in Montreal and allowing public gatherings of 10 people won’t lead to a spike in new cases, especially at the community level. Meanwhile, Montreal recorded an uptick of 40 new #COVID deaths on Wednesday. End of thread.