What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Tuesday, July 20
Key updates on COVID-19 in the region
Recent developments:
- Ottawa reported two new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.
- Ontario reported 127 new cases as eight million people are now vaccinated provincewide.
- An Ottawa city councillor is offering to be your vaccine chauffeur.
- COVID-19 vaccine might be required for some federal positions, Treasury Board says.
- Three local businesses share their thoughts on all the pandemic-inspired changes for liquor laws.
- Ontario students should return to class barring catastrophe, report says.
What's the latest?
Ottawa Public Health reported two more cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and no new deaths.
More than 80 per cent of adults in Ontario have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, while roughly 62 per cent of those age 12 and older are fully immunized.
If you're ready to roll up your sleeve, Ottawa city councillor Riley Brockington is offering to drive residents to get their COVID-19 vaccine to eliminate a key barrier.
The Treasury Board Secretariat says vaccines might be required for specific roles and positions in the public sector.
Students must return to class in September barring "only the most catastrophic of circumstances," according to a report penned by the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, as well as physicians from prominent children's hospitals across the province.
CBC Ottawa recently spoke to the owners of three local businesses to get their perspective on the seismic shift the COVID-19 pandemic has produced in Ontario's alcohol regime. Here's what they say worked best — and what they think still needs to happen.
WATCH | Business owners hope some liquor law changes are permanent:
How many cases are there?
As of Tuesday, 27,745 Ottawa residents have tested positive for COVID-19. There are 24 known active cases, 27,128 cases considered resolved, and 593 cases where people have died.
Public health officials have reported more than 50,300 COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 49,200 resolved cases.
Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 197 people have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 215.
Akwesasne has had nearly 700 residents test positive and 10 deaths between its northern and southern sections.
Kitigan Zibi has had 34 cases and one death. Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has had 11, with one death. Pikwakanagan hasn't had any.
CBC Ottawa is profiling those who've died of COVID-19. If you'd like to share your loved one's story, please get in touch.
What are the rules?
Eastern Ontario:
Ontario is in Step 3 of its reopening plan.
The latest step allows for indoor dining, with capacity limits based on everyone being able to keep an acceptable distance.
Gyms, movie theatres and museums are able to reach a capacity of 50 per cent inside.
Larger general gathering limits have risen to 25 people inside and 100 people outside. Those limits are even higher for organized events, leading to the resumption of summer festivals and professional sports.
A detailed plan for the next school year is in the works, according to the education minister.
Western Quebec
Western Quebec is now under green zone restrictions, the lowest on the province's four-colour scale. Its distancing length is now one metre.
Ten people are allowed to gather inside private residences and 20 people outdoors — which increases to 50 if playing sports. Organized games are permitted outdoors again and gyms are open.
People can eat both indoors and outdoors at restaurants and bars.
Personal care services and non-essential businesses can open. As many as 3,500 people can gather in a large theatre or arena and at outdoor festivals.
What can I do?
The novel coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets that can hang in the air.
People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine. Coronavirus variants of concern are more contagious and are established.
This means it is important to take precautions now and in the future like staying home while sick — and getting help with costs if needed — keeping hands and surfaces clean and maintaining distance from anyone you don't live with, even with a mask on.
Vaccines curb the spread of all types of the coronavirus.
Masks, preferably ones that fit snugly and have three layers, are mandatory in indoor public settings in Ontario and Quebec and recommended in crowded outdoor areas.
There's federal guidance for what vaccinated people can do in different situations.
Fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents can now skip the 14-day quarantine. People have to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter Canada by land without a fine.
The federal government has announced fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents living there would be able to visit Canada without having to quarantine starting Aug. 9, while tourists from all other countries would be allowed as of Sept. 7.
WATCH | Canada to open border to vaccinated Americans by Aug. 9:
Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditions get help with errands.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate, as should those who've been ordered to do so by their public health unit. The length of self-isolation varies in Quebec and Ontario.
Vaccines
Four COVID-19 vaccines have been deemed safe and approved in Canada. Three are in use, with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine the only one approved for children aged 12 to 17.
Canada's task force says people can wait up to 16 weeks between doses. There are factors pushing provinces to drastically speed up that timeline, including supply and the more infectious delta variant.
WATCH | Canada needs to increase COVID-19 vaccinations, experts say:
That same task force says it's safe and effective to mix first and second doses.
There is evidence giving a second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine offers better protection for people who got a first AstraZeneca-Oxford shot. Both Ontario and Quebec are giving people who got a first AstraZeneca dose the option to get a second of the same kind.
More than 2.8 million doses have been given out in the Ottawa-Gatineau region since mid-December, including more than 1.36 million in Ottawa and more than 450,000 in western Quebec.
Eastern Ontario
Ontario is vaccinating anyone age 12 or older.
People can look for provincial appointments opening up online or over the phone at 1-833-943-3900. Pharmacies continue to offer vaccines through their own booking systems, as do some family doctors.
Local health units have flexibility in the larger framework, including around booking, so check their websites for details. They offer standby lists for doses on short notice and recently, more walk-in options.
Campaigns are shifting to target those who are eligible to get their a second shot sooner or who haven't yet got their first. Some mass clinics are closing in the coming weeks.
If you need a copy of your COVID-19 vaccine receipt, visit the Ontario COVID-19 vaccination portal: <a href="https://t.co/oulXG4NFXA">https://t.co/oulXG4NFXA</a> <a href="https://t.co/BNSyIG2IcB">pic.twitter.com/BNSyIG2IcB</a>
—@KFLAPHVaccine bookings depend on the supply being sent to health units, which generally aren't reporting the supply problems of previous months.
Western Quebec
Quebec is vaccinating anyone 12 and older. Its goal is to provide second doses four weeks after the first.
People who qualify can make an appointment online or over the phone or visit one of the province's permanent and mobile walk-in clinics.
People may have to show proof of being fully vaccinated to access certain services if there is an autumn surge of cases.
Symptoms and testing
COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, vomiting and loss of taste or smell. Recently, a runny nose and headache have become more common.
Children tend to have an upset stomach and/or a rash.
If you have severe symptoms, call 911.
Mental health can also be affected by the pandemic, and resources are available to help.
In eastern Ontario:
Anyone seeking a test should make an appointment. Check with your health unit for clinic locations and hours.
Ontario recommends only getting tested if you fit certain criteria, such as having symptoms, exposure or a certain job.
Staff, caregivers and visitors who have been fully-immunized and show no symptoms of the coronavirus no longer need to be tested before entering a long-term care facility.
People without symptoms but who are part of the province's targeted testing strategy can make an appointment at select pharmacies. Rapid tests are available in some places.
Travellers who need a test have a few more local options to pay for one.
In western Quebec:
Tests are strongly recommended for people with symptoms and their contacts.
People can make an appointment and check wait times online. Some walk-in testing is available.
Call 1-877-644-4545 with questions, including if walk-in testing is available nearby.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis:
First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, or someone travelling to work in a remote Indigenous community, are eligible for a test in Ontario.
Akwesasne has COVID-19 vaccine clinics, with information online or at 613-575-2341. Anyone in Tyendinaga who's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603 and should watch the website for dedicated vaccine clinics.
Inuit in Ottawa can call the Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team at 613-740-0999 for service, including testing and vaccines, in Inuktitut or English on weekdays.
The last day for Ottawa's Indigenous vaccination clinic is July 29.
For more information
- Ottawa Public Health.
- Your Eastern Ontario Health Unit.
- The Ontario Ministry of Health (in several languages).
- The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais.
- The Public Health Agency of Canada.
