COVID-19: Two new deaths in twice-weekly Ottawa Public Health update
OHIP #OHIP
(Reported Tuesday, last update Friday)
2: New deaths
1,002: Total deaths
25: Ottawa residents in hospital due to an active infection
2: In ICU because of an active infection
93: Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals as of Sunday (includes non-Ottawa residents), 46 in hospital because of COVID-19 (5 in ICU) and 47 for other reasons (3 in ICU)
142: New COVID-19 cases (case numbers are considered underestimates with testing limited to certain groups)
88,657: Total cases
29: Ongoing outbreaks in institutional settings
13.92: Per cent test positivity (seven-day average as of Sunday)
Source: Ottawa Public Health
The current public health situation in Ottawa
COVID-19 has become a leading cause of death for Ottawa residents over 65 since the pandemic began and the risk continues, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches said Friday.
Ottawa’s COVID-19 death toll reached the grim milestone of 1,000 in Friday’s twice-weekly update from Ottawa Public Health.
“Obviously, this will make people pause, and it is really important to recognize the loss — the loss of parents, neighbours and colleagues is not insignificant,” Etches said.
“What is not as obvious is that the risk of death is continuing because Omicron is so prevalent that the number of infections is high.”
Etches said the milestone is not an end, but part of a trend “and the trend is that COVID continues to be a leading cause of death in our community and we see that continuing as long as we have high levels of COVID in the community, which we do now and we may with future variants.”
She said the milestone should be a “call to action” for people to continue to protect themselves against infection and against infecting those most at risk of dying by getting vaccine boosters and wearing masks, especially in situations where more vulnerable people are likely to be present.
How to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (and flu) in Ottawa
Eligible residents can drop in for a COVID-19 booster at Ottawa Public Health’s community clinics . Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment through Ontario’s online portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 or make an appointment at a participating pharmacy .
Not sure if you’re due for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose? Ontario’s Ministry of Health has an online booster dose eligibility checker .
Flu shots are available at pharmacies and OPH flu shot clinics serve children aged six months to five years and their household members and people without OHIP who couldn’t get the vaccine through pharmacies or health-care providers.
How to get tested and treated in Ottawa
With the province limiting lab testing for COVID-19 to people at increased risk and in high-risk settings, Ottawa residents can find out who’s eligible and how to book tests and seek treatment at a local care clinic or assessment centre on the health unit’s website.
Families can also check out CHEO’s page on when to go to the emergency department and alternatives to the ED .
Ontario pharmacists can prescribe Paxlovid, an antiviral drug used to reduce severe outcomes from COVID-19 to eligible people at no cost, both in person and virtually. People can use Ontario’s COVID-19 online antiviral treatment screener to see if they’re at higher risk of severe illness and might benefit from the medication.
Where to get COVID-19 rapid tests
Last month, Ontario extended a program providing free rapid antigen test kits for COVID-19 to the end of June 2023.
People can use their postal code to find participating pharmacy and grocery store locations.
-with files from Elizabeth Payne