What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept. 28
Key updates on COVID-19 in the region
Recent developments:
- Quebec recommends a third COVID-19 vaccine dose for care home residents.
- A vaccine mandate is coming for domestic travel, federal public servants.
- Ottawa reported 16 more cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
- Updated models are expected today from health officials in Ontario.
What's the latest?
Quebec recommends a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after six months for people living in long-term care facilities (CHSLDs), private seniors' homes (RPAs) and family-type residential resources (RI-RTF).
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed to reporters on Tuesday his re-elected government will move forward with a vaccine mandate for federal public servants and for eligible air and rail travellers.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported 16 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and no new deaths. The Outaouais and Belleville areas reported about the same number of cases.
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties announced Tuesday that 90 per cent of its eligible population is fully vaccinated, saying it's the first health unit in the province to do so.
Updated pandemic models are expected for Ontario this afternoon.
How many cases are there?
As of Tuesday, Ottawa has a total of 29,734 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are 412 known active cases, 28,727 cases considered resolved, and 595 people who have died from the illness.
Public health officials have reported more than 54,600 COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 52,500 cases now resolved.
Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 202 people with COVID-19 have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 220.
Akwesasne has had more than 880 residents test positive for COVID-19 — 50 of them active — and has reported 10 deaths between its northern and southern sections.
Kitigan Zibi has had 34 cases and one death. Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has had 14, 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 and will stay there for the foreseeable future. Its vaccine passport system is in place.
General gathering limits are 25 people inside and 100 people outside. Those limits are even higher for organized events.
People age 12 and up have to show photo identification and either a paper or PDF version of their vaccine receipt until an app is ready, likely in late October. There will be medical exemptions.
Other groups are also coming out with their own COVID-19 vaccine policies.
Indoor dining capacity is based on distancing. Gyms, movie theatres and museums can reach a capacity of 50 per cent inside.
Ontario's back-to-school rules allow for extracurricular activities, and while masks remain mandatory, vaccines are not. School boards can go beyond these rules.
Western Quebec
Under its green zone rules, 10 people are allowed to gather inside private residences and 20 people outdoors — which increases to 50 if playing sports. Organized events can be much larger.
This province's school rules include masks in class for students, but don't include classroom bubbles.
A vaccine passport is in place for people age 13 and up in spaces such as public events, bars, restaurants and gyms.
Quebecers can use an app or show paper proof; people from out of province will have to show paper proof. Everyone will also have to show ID.
As in Ontario, there are medical exemptions.
What can I do?
COVID-19 primarily spreads through droplets that can hang in the air.
People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine. Variants of concern are more contagious and are established.
This means it is important to take precautions now and in the future, such as 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.
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.
Vaccines curb the spread of all variants of COVID-19 and go a long way toward avoiding deaths and hospitalizations, without offering total protection.
There's federal guidance for what vaccinated people can do in different situations.
Fully vaccinated, tested and pre-approved people can come to Canada.
The U.S. land border will remain closed to Canadians until at least Oct. 21 and as of early November, the U.S. will require all foreign nationals flying into the country to be fully vaccinated.
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 and are now going by brand names instead of manufacturer names. Two are approved for youth as young as 12.
Canada's vaccine task force says people can wait up to 16 weeks between first and second doses. Factors pushed provinces to drastically speed up that timeline, including supply and the more infectious delta variant.
That same task force says it's safe and effective to mix first and second doses.
Ontario and Quebec are giving certain groups third doses.
There have been more than 3.4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the wider Ottawa-Gatineau region — combined first, second and third doses — which has about 2.3 million residents.
Eastern Ontario
Ontario is vaccinating anyone who will be age 12 or older in 2021. People can look for provincial appointments opening up online or over the phone at 1-833-943-3900.
Do you have a vaccine appt Wed Sept 29 at the Brockville Health Unit? No clinic at the Health Unit that day (error in the booking system). If it’s between 1pm and 7pm – go to the YMCA vax clinic instead (345 Park St). If it’s before 1pm – we will be contacting you to reschedule. <a href="https://t.co/V4YItK68Ui">pic.twitter.com/V4YItK68Ui</a>
—@LGLHealthUnitLocal health units have flexibility in the larger framework, including around booking, so check their websites for details.
They offer standby lists and walk-in doses on short notice as campaigns shift from mass clinics to mobile clinics to fill gaps in vaccine coverage.
Third shot details depend on the health unit.
Pharmacies continue to offer vaccines through their own booking systems, as do some family doctors.
Western Quebec
Anyone 12 and older can make an appointment online or over the phone or visit one of the province's permanent and mobile walk-in clinics.
Some hours and locations are changing in late September.
Symptoms and testing
COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, runny nose, headache, vomiting and loss of taste or smell.
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.
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, now including some schools.
Ottawa's testing task force says unvaccinated people without symptoms can't get the tests they need to work, learn on a university campus or attend a public event at its clinics. They need to look for a pharmacy or lab that offers it.
Travellers who need a test have a 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. Some walk-in testing is available.
Call 1-877-644-4545 with questions, including if walk-in testing is available nearby.
Rapid COVID-19 tests are available in elementary schools in the Outaouais for students with symptoms.
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 test and vaccine clinics, with information online or at 613-575-2341.
People in Kitigan Zibi can call the health centre at 819-449-5593 for a test or vaccine; email is another option for vaccine booking.
Tests are available in Pikwàkanagàn by calling 613-625-1175 and vaccines, at 613-625-2259 extension 225 or by email. 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.
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.
