Quebec hospitalizations finally levelling, but it's too soon to ease health rules, says Legault

Quebec is at a tipping point, and it looks like it's tipping in the right direction, Premier François Legault said Thursday, but it's too soon to ease public health rules, unlike Ontario's recent announcement.

He said he's seeing mostly good news this week, but in the big picture, Quebec's hospital system is still extremely fragile and it can't afford to be nudged at all towards further pressure.

"Finally we're seeing a decrease in the overall number of hospitalizations," Legault said in a press conference Thursday.

"Still, we're at the worst point so far in the pandemic."

In contrast, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced this week that Ontario will begin to ease its rules on Jan. 31, outlining a three-step plan.