Ottawa-Signs of the approaching summer were seen in most parts of Canada over the weekend, as several provinces have reported the fewest number of new COVID-19 infections in months and tens of thousands of Canadians have been vaccinated.

The good news begins in Quebec. The province used to be the center of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Only 179 new infections and no new deaths were reported on Sunday. This is the first of two measurements since September.

Meanwhile, Ontario recorded 663 new cases on Sunday, the lowest number since October 18. The numbers reported in Atlantic Canada are also relatively low. Nova Scotia has 12 new cases today and less than 10 in the rest of the region.

In a statement, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, called on Canadians to continue to guard against COVID-19, while also acknowledging that the number of new cases has decreased after the fatal third wave of infections occurred during most of the spring.

“Since immunity is still being established in the population, public health measures and personal preventive measures are essential to control COVID-19,” she said. “Due to measures taken in the hardest-hit areas, the disease trend continues to be strong and steadily declining.”

Despite this, some parts of the country are still battling high infection rates, including Manitoba, where nearly 500 cases were reported on Saturday and Sunday.

Tan said the decrease in new cases in the past week coincided with the decrease in the number of Canadians receiving treatment in hospitals due to COVID-19, the decrease in the number of intensive care units, and the decrease in deaths.

At the same time, more and more Canadians are vaccinated against COVID-19 every day. Ontario reported on Sunday that another 158,000 jabs have been made since the previous day, bringing the province’s total since the pandemic began to nearly 10 million.

The federal government says that more than 60% of Canadians have at least one dose.

Federal Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino believes that the rising vaccination rate across Canada is one of the reasons for the Liberal government’s decision to grant travel exemptions to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

This exemption will allow NHL All-Canadian Northern Division winners and American opponents to cross the border during the third and final rounds of the playoffs without having to isolate for 14 days.

“Compared with two months ago, we have come a long way, let alone a year ago,” Mendicino told Canadian media. “This is thanks to our frontline medical staff and Canadians themselves who are accelerating vaccination for their extraordinary work.”

While the NHL fans were rejoicing, Alberta Governor Jason Kenney found himself under siege because the photos appeared to show him and others on the top floor of a building near the Legislative Council grounds Ignore COVID rules when enjoying drinks and dinner on the terrace.

Two members of Kenny’s cabinet, Minister of Social Services Rajan Sawhney and Minister of Culture Leela Aheer publicly criticized Kenny’s refusal to take responsibility for the incident over the weekend. Other UCP members also criticized the “Tiangong” dinner.

Kenny insisted that the dinner was in compliance with public health regulations because the number of people at outdoor social gatherings did not exceed 10 people, but he did not address the obvious violation of the regulations on wearing masks and keeping distance.

The Canadian Press report was first published on June 6, 2021.