What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Thursday, May 27

Recent developments:

• Ottawa is reporting 45 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths.
• Ontario's premier is asking for a consensus on reopening schools.
• Quebecers can now get their second AstraZeneca dose eight weeks after their first.
• We compare Ontario and Quebec's upcoming reopening plans.

What's the latest?

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has confirmed another 45 cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has taken the unusual step of publicly soliciting advice from 55 individuals and organizations on how Ontario could go about safely reopening schools, giving them a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday to respond.

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé says the second shot of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine can now be administered within eight weeks of the first one, meaning anyone who received their first dose prior to April 3 can get the second dose as early as this weekend.

The wider Ottawa-Gatineau region takes some big steps toward reopening between now and the end of next week. We've compared the approaches in both provinces.

How many cases are there?

The region is coming down from a record-breaking peak of the pandemic's third wave, one that has included more dangerous coronavirus variants.

As of Thursday, 26,799 Ottawa residents have tested positive for COVID-19. There are 743 known active cases, 25,493 resolved cases and 563 deaths.

Public health officials have reported more than 48,600 COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 46,500 resolved cases.

Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 185 people have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 214.

Akwesasne has had more than 690 residents test positive, with four known active cases, and 10 deaths between its northern and southern sections.

Kitigan Zibi has had 34 cases. Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has had 11, with one death. Pikwakanagan hasn't had any.

The transfer of COVID-19 patients from other regions to Ottawa hospitals continues, including at least one from Manitoba. As of Tuesday, there were 16 COVID-19 patients from other communities in Ottawa ICUs.

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 can I do?

Eastern Ontario:

Ontario is under a stay-at-home order until at least Wednesday. Its reopening plan leans on rates of spread and vaccination; the province plans to take the next step in mid-June.

• Major exhibitions on hold as museums, galleries await reopening

Many closed outdoor recreation venues can now reopen and Ontario's outdoor distanced gathering limit has now risen to five people, including people from different households.

Most non-essential businesses can only offer curbside pickup. Access to malls is restricted and big-box stores can only sell essential items.

Gyms and personal care services are closed, while restaurants are only available for takeout and delivery.

Ontario has moved to online learning. Daycares remain open and summer camps should eventually open as well. 

Police checkpoints between Ontario and Quebec are not running 24/7. Officers in Ontario have the power to stop and question people if they believe they've gathered illegally.

Local health units and communities can also set their own rules, as Ottawa is doing around playgrounds and the Belleville area is doing for the agriculture industry.

Western Quebec

Western Quebec is under red zone rules.

It's also planning to gradually reopen, starting with the curfew lifting and outdoor gatherings and dining returning tomorrow then a move to the orange zone on Monday.

High schools, gyms, theatres, personal care services and non-essential businesses can now open with restrictions.

The curfew is currently in place from 9:30 p.m. until 5 a.m.

Private gatherings remain banned, except for a person who lives alone seeing one other household. 

Small religious services are allowed and people can go to theatres. Older secondary school students will be going to classrooms every second day. Distanced outdoor exercise is allowed in groups up to eight people.

People can't travel to yellow or green zones or risk a fine.

COVID-19 vaccine supply could shorten time between doses: NACI chair

4 years ago

Duration 1:54

The chair of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization says Canada now has enough supply of COVID-19 vaccines to give second doses ahead of the 16-week interval it recommended earlier. Experts say getting that second dose earlier may be important to protect against new variants.

Distancing and isolating

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 now 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.

• When will we know the pandemic is over?
• It's not time to ditch your mask just yet, experts say

Masks, preferably ones that fit snugly and have three layers, are mandatory in indoor public settings in Ontario and Quebec.

OPH says residents should wear masks outside their homes whenever possible.

People have to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter Canada by land without a fine and have to pay for their stay in a quarantine hotel if entering by air.

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 varies in Quebec and Ontario.

Vaccines

Four COVID-19 vaccines have been deemed safe and approved in Canada.

Canada's task force said first doses offer such strong protection that people can wait up to four months to get a second.

WATCH | The idea that second doses can come earlier:

Rollout of early 2nd AstraZeneca doses in Ontario explained

4 years ago

Duration 7:08

The CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association explains who is eligible for an early second dose of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine and what happens if you don't get your shot in this limited rollout.

More than 1,200,000 doses have been given out in the Ottawa-Gatineau region since mid-December, including nearly 550,000 doses to Ottawa residents and more than 245,000 in western Quebec.

• This week's vaccine checkup for the Ottawa-Gatineau area

Eastern Ontario

Ontario is now 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 supply allows.

The first people who got an AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine March 10 to 19 can now book a second dose. There's a list of locations offering them in the Kingston area.

The province's goal is a second AstraZeneca dose 12 weeks after the first, with more details to come on other recipients.

WATCH | Second AstraZeneca doses in Ontario explained:

Health officials continue to tell people who got a first dose before a second dose was automatically booked they won't be forgotten.

Local health units have flexibility in the larger framework, including around booking, so check their websites for details. Some offer standby lists for first doses.

Western Quebec

Quebec is now vaccinating anyone 12 and older.

People who qualify can make an appointment online or over the phone.  There are walk-in clinics in Buckingham, Hull and Wakefield.

The province expects to have given a first dose to 75 per cent of adults by June 15 and is looking at 75 per cent of people age 12 and up getting their second dose by the end of August.

Its goal is second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine eight weeks after the first. People may be able to get an earlier second dose appointment for other types of vaccines starting June 7.

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. Children tend to have an upset stomach and/or a rash.

• Federal COVID Alert app caught 400 cases of COVID-19 in April

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.

People without symptoms but who are part of the province's targeted testing strategy can make an appointment at select pharmacies. Shoppers Drug Mart stores can now offer rapid tests.

Travellers who need a test have very few 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.

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 a COVID-19 test site by appointment only and a curfew of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Anyone returning to the community on the Canadian side of the international border who's been farther than 160 kilometres away — or visited Montreal — for non-essential reasons is asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

People in Pikwakanagan can book a COVID-19 test by calling 613-625-1175. Anyone in Tyendinaga who's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603 and in Kitigan Zibi, 819-449-5593.

Tyendinaga's council is asking people not to travel there to camp or fish.

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.

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.