1) Just days after Premier François Legault floated the idea of possibly easing some restrictions in Outaouais, a #COVID19 outbreak flared up on Saturday in a private seniors’ residence in the region bordering Ontario, underscoring the danger this #pandemic still poses.

2) The Château Symmes in Gatineau posted 16 cases within the past 24 hours, comprising 50% of the eldercare home’s capacity. In less than a week, the number of critical outbreaks in Quebec seniors’ residences has doubled to six, despite elders receiving their first vaccine doses.

3) And in Montreal, the Manoir Outremont has hit by a #COVID19 outbreak has infected 18 residents, including two who have died. Residents in the seniors’ home received their second shots four days ago, my @LP_LaPresse colleague @arianelecours has reported.

4) Across town, the emergency room at St. Mary’s Hospital appears to have contained an outbreak among staff that rose to 21. The staff had not yet received their second doses, and some of their family members may have contracted #COVID19. See below. https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/st-marys-hospital-installs-air-purifiers-in-er-after-staff-outbreak

5) All these outbreaks underscore the importance of full vaccination. Although 41.1% of Quebec’s population has been jabbed with one dose, just 4.2% have received both doses. Perhaps it’s time for the government to truly ramp up the administration of second doses.

6) What's more, the situation in Chaudière-Appalaches remains fragile and highlights the challenges of easing restrictions too quickly. This region declared the second-highest number of more transmissible variant #COVID19 cases after Montreal Saturday. Please see the chart below.

7) Meanwhile in Montreal, despite the outbreaks at the Manoir Outremont and St. Mary’s Hospital, the situation in the metropolis continued to improve overall. The city’s seven-day rate of #COVID19 cases has dropped to 10.66 per 100,000 residents, the lowest since in months.

8) Across the province, the total number of outbreaks dipped below the thousand threshold Saturday, with clusters declining by 24 to 991. All sectors — including health care, daycare, schools, the workplace and events — observed decreases.

9) Hospitalizations due to #COVID19 dropped by 27, mostly outside of Montreal. Two hospitals in the Capitale-Nationale discharged nine patients. The chart below shows hospitalizations dropping in all age groups except among children and adolescents.

10) On Saturday, the health ministry announced that due to a “worrisome epidemiological situation,” the Eastern Townships will turn from orange to a red zone Monday. The government may also want to reconsider easing restrictions in the Outaouais region. End of thread.