• At a press conference Thursday, Montreal Regional Public Health Director Dr. Mylène Drouin said Montreal has "attained a plateau."
• At the provincial level, officials are also preparing a "deconfinement plan."
• But challenges remain, especially in senior residences.
• Visit MTLBlog for more headlines.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate our way of life, Montreal has reached a "plateau." The good news was announced on Thursday afternoon by Regional Public Health Director Dr. Mylène Drouin. "If we look at the cases today and yesterday, we have attained a plateau," she explained.

Montreal has been the epicentre of the pandemic in Quebec, with 7,281 cases as of April 16. 332 people have passed away.

Dr. Drouin went on to explain that even though there was an over 400-person increase in the number of cases in Montreal, around 200 of them are "linked epidemiologically."

This means that roughly half of those cases are counted because those 200 people live with people who are confirmed to have COVID-19.

On the provincial level, too, Premier Legault has suggested that there is evidence of stabilization, saying Thursday that the situation in hospitals is "under control."

The provincial government is also preparing a "deconfinement" plan.

Though he said businesses would gradually reopen, he previously stated that social distancing rules would last for "months."

Other challenges remain, as well.

"Our biggest concern is for the senior citizens living in residences and CHSLDs," said Dr. Drouin.

82 such residences in Montreal have at least one confirmed case of the disease, according to Santé Montréal.

Legault also called the situation in senior homes "critical."

The focus is now on helping this vulnerable population.

Montreal will begin sending automated calls to elders across the city.

"I want you to know that if you receive a call, it's not phishing and it's important to listen to the whole message," said Mayor Plante.  

Public health officials are also working on the best solution on how to integrate new health care workers in CHSLDs on the island. 

"We're working hard to prevent more outbreaks on the island of Montreal," said Dr. Drouin. 

Stay tuned for more news.