What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Friday, June 5

Recent developments:

• Ottawa Public Health reports seven new cases and no new deaths on Friday. Outaouais reports two additional deaths due to COVID-19.
• No Peace Until Justice demonstrators marched today through downtown Ottawa.
• Ontario is consideringmoving to Stage 2 of its reopening plan despite a steady stream of new COVID-19 cases.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hasannounced new supports for Canadians with disabilities and billions of dollars for provinces to help reopen their economies.

What's happening today?

A family tells CBC the COVID-19 pandemic is revealing long-standing issues with the way Ontario supports seniors and people with disabilities living at home.

Ottawa Public Health is recommendinganyoneparticipatingin public demonstrations todayconsider taking special precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Thousands of demonstratorsmarched through downtown Ottawatoday. CBC reporters say at least half of the participants appear to be wearing masks although physical distancing wasa challenge in the large crowds.

Premier Doug Ford is signalling that he could announce the next phase of loosening Ontario's pandemic restrictions as early as next week, despite a recent uptick in new cases of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadians with disabilities will receive a one-time payment of up to $600 to help offset the higher costs of living during the pandemic.

Trudeau also the federal government will provide $14 billion to the provinces and territories to help them "safely and carefully"reopen their economies.

How many cases are there?

There have been 1,992confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa and 248deaths linked to the respiratory illness, as of the latest Ottawa Public Health report on Friday.

There are more than 3,100 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 25in 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 one" of its three-stage reopening plan. When ready, its next stage should bring more offices, outdoor spaces and gatherings back. Ontario has extended its state of emergency until June 30.

On May 31, the farmers market at Lansdowne Park reopened for pre-ordering and pickup-by-appointment. Drive-in movie theatres and batting cages in Ontario also opened.

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 includecottages 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.

Core public services need to remain in public hands

4 years ago

Duration 0:30

Joel Harden, the NDP MPP for Ottawa Centre, says the closure of some privately owned Service Ontario kiosks during the COVID-19 pandemic is a sign that key public services should not be privatized.

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 intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada.