More Than 5,000 Quebecers Have Died Of COVID-19 & Legault Warns The Virus Isn't Gone Yet

We have reached a grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec. The province has officially surpassed 5,000 deaths due to the virus, according to official numbers. Premier François Legault was saddened by this news and sent his deepest condolences to all the affected families. 

"I want to offer my sympathies to the families of these 5,000 victims," said the premier. 

He also expressed regret about the situation in nursing homes.

"Unfortunately, we did not act quickly enough, the various governments that have succeeded one another."

Despite surpassing 5,000 deaths, the past few days have shown a steady decrease in the number of hospitalizations.

We're not out of the woods, yet, however. 

"Though we have encouraging numbers, the virus is not gone," Legault reminded Quebecers.  

As of June 9, there have been 53,185 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Quebec.

On Monday, the government announced the reopening of restaurant dining rooms and the relaxation of some restrictions on public gatherings.

As of June 15 in the regions and June 22 in the Montreal metropolitan community, Joliette, and L'Épiphanie, up to 10 people can gather in private residences. 

Responding to the crisis in Quebec's CHSLDs, the premier said that "as a society, we must learn lessons."

Citing a lack of staff and adequate facilities, Legault promised that under his watch, the situation in nursing homes will get better.

"[We need] more staff, more staff trained in infection prevention, and then it is absolutely necessary to renovate our CHSLDs," he said.

"We must renovate our CHSLDs, we must build the new CHSLDs that we will call the homes of the elderly, with single rooms, but larger rooms, more space too."

Should a second wave happen, he mentioned, it would be necessary to separate the hot and cold infection zones.

"I think that if there is one thing we all want in Quebec, it is to take the necessary actions so that in the future we will be proud of the way we treat our seniors who are in long-term care homes," he said.

More reopenings still need to be announced. Bar and gyms are just some of the places for which the government has not yet set a reopening date.