• The Institut national de santé publique (INSPQ) has recorded over 2,000 recoveries from COVID-19 in Quebec as of April 14.
• But even as the number increases and the number of cases is expected to drop, challenges persist in the province.
• A return to normalcy will not be immediate.
• Visit MTLBlog for more headlines.

As of April 14, there have been 2,491 documented recoveries from COVID-19 in Quebec, according to the Institut national de santé publique (INSPQ), which lists the rarely-reported number on its website alongside the cumulative number of cases. As the province approaches its projected outbreak peak, Premier François Legault said on April 9, the number of cases "should decrease." But despite the anticipated approach of the peak and the gradual increase in the number of recoveries, challenges persist.

The focus of the government is now on the province's CHSLDs and private senior residences, whose inhabitants are more vulnerable to the effects of the disease.

A list published on April 14 shows that over 100 such residents have confirmed cases of COVID-19. In some, the number of cases represents over 25% of available beds.

A lack of staff in public CHSLDs has exacerbated the situation. 

Some areas of the province, meanwhile, have been more affected by the crisis than others.

Montreal has been called the "epicentre" of the outbreak in Quebec. 15 of the densest jurisdictions on the island count over 200 cases, according to the most recent public data from April 14.

These are: Ahuntsic–Cartierville (417), Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (671), Côte-Saint-Luc (279), LaSalle (349), Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (359), Montréal-Nord (404), Plateau-Mont-Royal (275), Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles (313), Rosemont–La-Petite-Patrie (340), Saint-Laurent (213), Saint-Léonard (224), Sud-Ouest (286), Verdun (276), Ville-Marie (225), and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension (390). 

And even if Quebec reaches its outbreak peak as projected on April 18, a return to normalcy will take much longer.

Legault has suggested that social distancing measures could last for months.

"When we reopen businesses, it will be very important to focus first on businesses where we are really able" to maintain a two-meter distance between individuals, he said on April 8.

"In fact, you have to get used to the two-metre rule in Quebec. That will take months."

As of April 15, Quebec has 14,860 confirmed cases and 487 deaths.

Stay tuned for more news.