Quebec Premier Apologizes As Province Surpasses 5,000 COVID-19 Deaths

Quebec Premier Francois Legault speaks during a news conference at the legislature in Quebec City on May 28, 2020. The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot

MONTREAL—Quebec’s premier apologized as the province surpassed 5,000 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, vowing to take lessons from the loss of life.

Authorities added 45 new deaths after days of declining numbers, pushing the provincial toll to 5,029, with nearly 90 percent of those deaths in the province’s long-term care homes.