6 Quebec Regions Are Struggling To Break The Second Wave Of COVID-19, Says Legault

And they're NOT the same places that were hit hard by the first wave.
Reporter

In a press conference on November 24, Premier François Legault outlined regions of Quebec where COVID-19 cases are especially high — and according to him, they are not urban centres. 

Legault said the six regions that are having trouble bringing down the curve of the second wave are: Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Estrie, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Lanaudière, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Sorel-Tracy in Montérégie. 

Legault noted that Montreal and Quebec City, Quebec's largest cities, are not currently being hit hardest by the pandemic. 

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Unlike the first wave, the places where there are the most viruses are not the major centres. [...] In fact, there are six regions or sub-regions where there are difficulties.

Premier François Legault

In particular, Legault said the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region is struggling to control the spread of the virus. The region saw 1,190 new cases of COVID-19 between November 15 and 21.

The week prior, it went over the 4,100 new cases mark.*

"It's the region where it's the most difficult," said Legault.

"I am asking all the people of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, if you are able, in the coming days and weeks, to stay at home [to reduce the pressure]."

The premier called out Côte-de-Gaspé, Joliette, Matane and Lanaudière-Nord as particular cities and municipalities facing "problems" related to the second wave of COVID-19. 

Lanaudière, where Joliette is located, saw 836 new cases of COVID-19 between November 15 and 21.   

*This article has been updated.

  • Lea Sabbah
  • Lea Sabbah was a Staff Writer for MTL Blog. Previously, Lea was a radio host on CJLO 1690 AM and her work has been published by Global News, the Toronto Star, Le Devoir and the National Observer. In 2019, she was part of the investigative team that uncovered lead in Montreal's drinking water — a story which won Quebec's Grand Prix Judith-Jasmin. She's a graduate of the journalism program at Concordia University.

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