What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Friday, April 3
Key updates on the coronavirus pandemic in the region
Recent developments:
- Daycares to open in Ottawa and Kingston to help support essential workers.
- Ontario could see 3,000 to 15,000 deaths from COVID-19, according to a new report from the province.
- The Ottawa airport says its balance sheet has been devastated by travel restrictions, and it may have to suspend some routes.
- Take a deep breath of fresh air and read our new Facebook page for some cheer.
Here's what's happening today
New projections from Ontario show COVID-19 could kill between 3,000 and 15,000 people and could affect the province for up to two years.
Premier Doug Ford called the projections "a wake-up call" on Thursday.
The federal government has yet to release its natonwide projections.
WATCH: What if Ontario did nothing against COVID-19?
Ottawa bylaw officers say after issuing dozens of warnings, they will start to fine people for breaking COVID-19 rules.
Other communities such as Kingston, Ont. and Gatineau are in a similar boat.
🚫 Some people are not getting the messaging re parks only to be used as walk-throughs for strolls/jogging/cycling + playgrounds/sports fields/courts completely prohibited. One patrol officer alone has warned 45 people & 6 different groups at Victoria & Breakwater Parks today. 1/ <a href="https://t.co/1gANw6kgCb">pic.twitter.com/1gANw6kgCb</a>
—@SgtKoopmanHow many cases do we have?
There are now 289 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa and more than 500 in the region, including seven deaths linked to the coronavirus.
Confirmed cases are just a snapshot because of the limits of testing. There are likely thousands more.
Distancing and isolating
Physical distancing means avoiding non-essential trips, working from home, cancelling all gatherings and staying at least two metres away from others when out for a walk.
WATCH: What good physical distancing will do to the pandemic
Travellers who return to Canada must now self-isolate for 14-days: staying home and asking others to leave supplies at the door.
Anyone who is older than 70, or who has a compromised immune system, or who has been in close contact with someone who either has tested positive or has symptoms after recent travel should also self-isolate for 14 days.
People who feel sick should self-isolate for 14 days or until their symptoms are gone for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
How daily life is changing
Quebec has banned non-essential travel into and through western Quebec, which police are enforcing with moving checkpoints.
WATCH: Gatineau police explain what's not allowed
Parks are only open to walk through and authorities are watching for gatherings in many communities.
WATCH: A how-to guide for Ottawa's park rules
Ontario and Quebec schools are closed until May and all non-essential businesses should be closed.
Public transit authorities are scaling back service. Essential services like waste collection continue.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
They range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection. The most common symptoms include fever, fatigue and a dry cough.
Older people, those with compromised immune systems and those with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes are more likely to develop serious problems.
The coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Ottawa Public Health says unless you need an N-95 mask for your job, only people with respiratory illnesses and those caring for sick people should wear them.
Homemade masks may do little to stop the spread of the virus — aside from stopping people from touching their faces and muffling a cough or sneeze. Kingston General Hospital has banned staff from wearing them.
WATCH: Is the advice on face masks changing?
The germs can also spread through close, prolonged contact, such as handshaking, and via surfaces such as door handles, phones and light switches.
Most people with mild symptoms can self-isolate and get better. If you have severe symptoms, call 911.
Where to get tested
Anyone concerned they have COVID-19 in Ontario can fill out its online assessment tool.
Ottawans who have a new or worsening cough or fever and have left the country — or have spent time with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days — should visit the COVID-19 screening centre at the Brewer Arena.
The centre is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 151 Brewer Way. You don't have to call ahead.
Starting Monday a former school in Bells Corners will become a care centre for people with moderate symptoms from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The assessment centre at the Kingston Memorial Centre at 303 York St. is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for anyone with symptoms.
WATCH: Kingston teacher sets public health advice to Lady Gaga tune
The public health unit in the Belleville area is asking people only call it at 613-966-5500 if they still have questions after the province's self-assessment.
Same for Leeds, Grenville and Lanark's unit at 1-800-660-5853 extension 2499.
It has testing sites by referral from a family doctor or the health unit only in Brockville, Almonte and Smiths Falls and a new home test service for people in care or with mobility challenges. Call the health unit to ask about one.
There is a drive-thru test centre in Casselman, Ont. open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 872 Principale St. for people with worsening symptoms, like the test site at 750 Laurier St. in Hawkesbury, Ont., open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. No need to call ahead.
WATCH: Firefighters, police show support for health-care workers in Hawkesbury
There are others by appointment only in WInchester, Ont., by calling your family doctor or Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000, and Cornwall, Ont. Call 613-935-7762 if you have worsening symptoms.
Only people older than age 70 in that area or who have chronic health problems or compromised immune systems can call 613-933-1375 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to ask about a home visit from paramedics.
Renfrew County is providing home testing under some circumstances.
Call Telehealth, your health care provider or it at 613-735-8654 if you still have more questions.
Anyone who doesn't have or can't reach a family doctor can call its new primary health-care centre at 1-844-727-6404 if they have any health questions.
In western Quebec:
Outaouais residents should call 819-644-4545 if they have a cough or fever, whether they've travelled or not. You could be referred to Gatineau's testing centre.
If your symptoms require a trip to the ER, call ahead if you can to let them know your travel history.
First Nations communities
Akwesasne, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ) and Pikwakanagan have declared states of emergency..
With a confirmed case in the American part of Akwesasne, anyone returning from farther than 80 kilometres away is asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Anyone in MBQ who has symptoms can call 613-967-3603 to talk to a nurse
Pikwakanagan's new council has ordered all businesses to close.
Kitigan Zibi has scaled back non-essential services.
For more information, visit:
- Ottawa Public Health,
- your local eastern Ontario health unit,
- the Ontario Ministry of Health (in several languages).
- the Public Health Agency of Canada.
- the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais (in French).
