For updates on Quebec limiting regional travel, financial help for low income essential service workers and more, see below.

Quebec has 14 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total death count to 75 for the province as of Saturday.

The provincial government announced on Saturday the number of confirmed cases of the virus has climbed to 6,997 — an increase of 896 since Friday.

478 people are hospitalized — an increase of 49 since Friday– including 130 people in intensive care, which is an increase of eight.

83,230 test results have so far come back negative and 3,879 people are currently under investigation.

Montreal remains the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the province, accounting for 3,261 of the nearly 7,000 cases. On Thursday, the city said it was boosting its police presence and extending its state of emergency. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said authorities will not hesitate to fine people up to $1,000 for not respecting social-distancing measures.

Quebec’s public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda said on Saturday that health officials can confirm community transmission of the virus in the province.

Arruda said most people in the province who have tested positive for COVID-19 are between 40-49 years old, but most hospitalizations and deaths are of people above 70. There is one case of a person between the age of 30 and 39 who has died of the disease in Quebec, Arruda confirmed.

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Government officials urged the reminder to stay home and only leave if absolutely necessary — for necessary errands or to go to work if you work in essential services. Geneviève Guilbault, the province’s deputy premier and public security minister, said if would be helpful for those working in essential services to have a letter from their employer on them when they are out incase they are stopped by police.

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reserves of medication, floods — NA

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