COVID-19: Three new deaths in twice-weekly Ottawa Public Health update; virus levels ‘still high’
Ottawa #Ottawa
Ottawa
(Reported Friday, last update Tuesday)
3 : New deaths
905: Total deaths
25: Ottawa residents in hospital due to active infections
0: In ICU because of an active infections
118: Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals as of Wednesday (includes non-Ottawa residents), 54 in hospital because COVID-19 (5 in ICU) and 64 for other reasons (1 in ICU)
287: New COVID-19 cases (case numbers are considered underestimates with testing limited to certain groups)
83,720: Total cases
65: Ongoing outbreaks in institutional settings
19.1: Per cent test positivity in the community (seven-day average as of Wednesday)
Source: Ottawa Public Health
The current public health situation
With the fall respiratory virus season now here, monitoring indicators show that “levels of COVID-19 in our community are still high,” Ottawa Public Health said in a weekly “snapshot.”
For those eligible, “now’s the time” to get a bivalent booster at a local pharmacy or a community clinic, OPH said. Ontario announced Thursday that the Pfizer bivalent vaccine, targeting the Omicron variant, would be available starting Monday to people aged 12 and over.
Levels of the virus detected in wastewater were high and relatively unchanged from a week earlier, OPH said in Thursday’s update. The per cent of lab tests coming back positive was very high and increasing. New outbreaks in institutional settings were moderate and relatively unchanged from last week.
The update reported new COVID-19 hospitalizations as moderate and decreasing, but current data is incomplete because records are not entered on statutory holidays, the health unit said. Complete data will be available in next week’s update.
Amid the viral season, “we need to think about those added risks,” the health unit said. The now-familiar “layers of protection” against COVID-19 — wearing a mask, covering coughs and staying home when sick — also help protect against colds and the flu.
“We still strongly recommend wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor and/or crowded public places,” OPH said, as “a simple and very effective way to help protect yourself and those around you.”
Across Ontario, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, the flu season is on the horizon and many other respiratory viruses are circulating again, the province’s doctor said Thursday as he warned the coming months could be tough.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore urged people to get their COVID-19 and flu shots when eligible — the latter available for the general public Nov. 1 — and said he’s hoping for the highest level of uptake possible because the flu vaccine is normally quite effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization.
“We really need it this year of all years because it’s going to be a complicated year, as we try to get back to normal living with all respiratory viruses this fall and winter,” he said in an interview Thursday.
How to get vaccinated
Book vaccination appointments through Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 or through participating pharmacies .
OPH encourages people to make appointments because drop-in availability will be limited at community clinics .
How to get tested and treated for COVID-19
Antiviral treatments are available for people with symptoms — even if they’re mild — who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19, but they must be taken within the first five days of symptoms starting.
People can use the province’s COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener to see if they’re at higher risk of severe illness and might benefit from the medication.
With lab testing in the province prioritized for people at increased risk and in high-risk settings. Ottawans can find out more about eligibility, how to book tests and seek treatment on the Ottawa Public Health website.
Where to get rapid tests
Ontario is distributing free rapid antigen tests through participating pharmacy and grocery store locations .
With files from The Canadian Press