While pointing out that the province has performed more COVID-19 tests than many other countries and provinces (43,000 per million inhabitants), Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced Wednesday that testing levels are not where he would like them to be.
Quebec was averaging 6,000 tests per day. To coincide with the reopening of some schools and economic sectors, Legault wanted to increase the amount of testing to 14,000 per day.
Currently, only 9,000 tests are being done daily. The premier said he hopes to reach the target in the coming days.
There were 89 new deaths in Quebec in the last day bringing the total in the province to 3,220.
Legault said members of the National Assembly held a moment of silence and the flags in front of the building were lowered to half-mast in recognition of the victims of COVID-19.
The province has 39, 931 confirmed cases, up 706 from the day before. Of the confirmed cases, 901 are in the Estrie region. The province has 1,876 hospitalizations due to the virus, up 35, and 194 of those patients are in intensive care.
COVID-19 testing in Quebec still below target
By Matthew McCully
