What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Monday, June 8
CBC News | Posted: June 8, 2020 8:00 AM | Last Updated: June 8, 2020
Key updates on the coronavirus pandemic in the region
Recent developments:
- Ontarians will soon be allowed to gather in groups of up to 10, and many more businesses and services will be allowed to begin operating again under "Stage 2."
- Ottawa Public Health reported two new cases and two new deaths on Monday, bringing the city's total number of confirmed cases to 2,006 with 254 deaths.
- Quebec is allowing soccer and baseball teams to resume practices again, but games won't resume just yet.
- Several Ottawa Public Library branches start accepting returns Monday.
What's happening today?
We now know more about what "Stage 2" of Ontario's reopening will look like. Today, the province announced a host of new services and businesses that can reopen in many parts of the province, including Ottawa, starting on Friday.
Soon, Ottawans should be able to get their hair cut and nails done, grab dinner on a restaurant patio, go car camping in a provincial park or swim in a pool. Gatherings of up to 10 people will also be allowed, and places of worship can reopen with a limited number of congregants.
Ottawa Public Health backtracked after issuing misleading public health advice by telling recovered COVID-19 patients they are likely safe from re-infection for two years or more. Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa's medical officer of health, acknowledged Sunday that parts of the health unit's messaging was "leaving the wrong impression."
Soccer and baseball teams in western Quebec can begin training Monday, but players will have to continue physical distancing. Games could be allowed to resume by the end of June, but it depends on the COVID-19 situation.
Yoga and other supervised activities are also allowed to restart, as long as they take place outside. Pools in places like private campgrounds can also reopen today.
Six Ottawa Public Library branches will start accepting curbside returns today. The locations are the main branch, Nepean Centrepointe, Cumberland, Beaverbrook, Greenboro, and Ruth E. Dickson.
How many cases are there?
As of OPH's latest report on Sunday, there have been 2,006 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa and 254 deaths linked to the respiratory illness.
There are nearly 3,200 known cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
More than 2,500 people in the region have recovered from COVID-19.
COVID-19 has killed 50 people in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties, 17 in other parts of eastern Ontario and 27 in the Outaouais.
Confirmed cases are just a snapshot because, until recently, not everyone could be tested in Ontario. Also, not everyone with COVID-19 will go to get tested (potentially because they are asymptomatic) and results take time to process.
What's open and closed?
Ontario is in "Stage 1" of its three-stage reopening plan. Starting on Friday, Ottawa and many other regions of Ontario, enter "Stage 2," details of which were announced Monday (see above).
The farmers market at Lansdowne Park is open for pre-ordering and pickup-by-appointment. Drive-in movie theatres and batting cages in Ontario are open.
In Quebec, malls, campgrounds and Airbnbs, courts and services such as dentist offices and hair salons reopened.
National parks and historic sites across Canada, which includes Rideau Canal lockstations, are open. The same goes for backcountry camping at Ontario Parks sites and recreational camping on Crown lands.
The City of Ottawa has cancelled all summer day camps and is providing refunds or credits. The city said it hopes to set up a different type of camp format, similar to what the City of Gatineau is doing.
Many parks are now open with limits, such as not using playground equipment or gathering.
The closure of overnight camping and some day-use activities at provincial parks and conservation reserves will continue until at least June 14. Short-term rentals, which include cottages and bed and breakfasts, are allowed to resume business in Ontario.
Quebec elementary schools outside Montreal are open. Schools for its older students and all Ontario schools are closed through summer.
Post-secondary schools are moving toward more online classes this fall, with Ontario promising a fall plan for younger students by July and Quebec hoping to have students back in class full-time.
Distancing and isolating
The coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People don't need to have symptoms to be contagious.
That means physical distancing measures such as working from home and staying at least two metres away from anyone they don't live with.
Ottawa Public Health now wants people to think about how to safely do certain things and recommends people wear a fabric or non-medical mask when they can't always stay two metres from strangers, such as at a grocery store.
Anyone who has symptoms or travelled recently outside Canada must self-isolate for at least 14 days.
Specifically in Ottawa, anyone waiting for a COVID-19 test result must self-isolate at least until they know the result.
The same goes for anyone in Ontario who's been in contact with someone who's tested positive or is presumed to have COVID-19.
People 70 and older or with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions should also self-isolate.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a dry cough, vomiting and the loss of taste or smell.
Less common symptoms include chills, headaches and pink eye. The Ontario government says in rare cases, children can develop a rash.
If you have severe symptoms, call 911.
Where to get tested
In eastern Ontario:
In Ottawa any resident who feels they need a test, even if they are not showing symptoms, can now be tested.
Tests are done at the Brewer Arena from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., seven days a week, or at 595 Moodie Dr. and 1485 Heron Rd. those same hours on weekdays.
Testing has also expanded for local residents and employees who work in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit area.
There is a drive-thru test centre in Casselman and assessment centres in Hawkesbury and Winchester that don't require people to call ahead and others in Rockland, and Cornwall that require an appointment.
In Kingston, the assessment centre at the Kingston Memorial Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for anyone with symptoms.
Napanee's test centre is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for people who call for an appointment.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark unit asks you to get tested if you have a symptom or concerns about exposure.
It has a walk-in site in Brockville open seven days a week at the Memorial Centre and testing sites in Smiths Falls and Almonte which require an appointment.
The public health unit in the Belleville area is asking people to call it at 613-966-5500, their family doctor or Telehealth if they have symptoms or questions.
If you have no symptoms, you can arrange a test in Bancroft, Belleville or Trenton by calling the centre, or in Picton by texting 613-813-6864. You can also call Picton's number as a backup.
You may also qualify for a home test.
Renfrew County is also providing home testing under some circumstances. Residents without access to a family doctor can call 1-844-727-6404 if they have health questions, COVID-19-related or not.
If you're concerned about the coronavirus, take the self-assessment.
In western Quebec:
Outaouais residents should call 819-644-4545 if they have symptoms. They could end up being referred to Gatineau's testing centre.
First Nations:
Local communities have declared states of emergency, put in a curfew or both.
Akwesasne has opened a mobile COVID-19 test site available by appointment only. Anyone returning to Akwesasne who's been farther than 80 kilometres away is asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Anyone in Tyendinaga who has symptoms can call 613-967-3603 to talk to a nurse.
Pikwakanagan's council planned to let businesses reopen as of May 29. Kitigan Zibi is keeping schools closed through the summer.
For more information
- Ottawa Public Health.
- Your local 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.