OTTAWA -- There are now 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Gatineau and the Outaouais.

Quebec health officials announced 12 new cases of novel coronavirus in the western Quebec region on Tuesday.

The CISSS de l’Outaouais says fewer than five of the 50 cases are located in rural areas of the Outaouais region.

In a statement, the health unit says after each new confirmed case of COVID-19, staff “quickly identify all the people who might have had contacts with a person affected by COVID-19 and advise them of proper course of action.”

There are 4,162 cases of COVID-19 across Quebec.

On Monday, the CISSS de l’Outaouais reported five confirmed cases of novel coronavirus involved health care workers in the region, including two at the Hull Hospital.