What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Monday, April 12

Recent developments:

• Ontario is moving all students toonline learningfollowing spring break.
• A surge ofCOVID-19 patients is pushing Ottawa hospitals to their limit.
• Ottawa is reporting348 more COVID-19 cases, the Outaouais 290.

What's the latest?

Ontario isclosing schools and moving all studentsto online learningamid a surge innew COVID-19 cases.

Premier Doug Ford is leading a provincial update at 3:00 p.m. ET.

WATCH LIVE | Ontario's news conference:

The Ottawa Hospital saysthe pressure on hospitals is greater than at any other time during the pandemic, andis warning people they may have to be transferred elsewhere for care.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported 348 new COVID-19 cases Monday, second only to Sunday's 370 in terms of daily totals.

With 290 newcases Monday, the Outaouais breaks its previous daily record by more than 100.

How many cases are there?

The region is in a record-breaking third wave of the pandemic thatincludes more dangerous coronavirus variants, straining hospitals and test sites.

As of Monday, 20,073Ottawa residents havetested positive for COVID-19. There are 2,619known active cases, 16,978resolved cases and476deaths.

Public health officials have reported more than 36,800COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 31,400resolved cases.

Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 156people have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 178.

Akwesasnehas had more than 280 residents test positive on the Canadian side of the border and sevendeaths. It'shad more than 570 cases when its southern section is added.

Kitigan Zibihas hada spike of about 15 cases as of late last week. Ithad about 20confirmed cases before this.

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territoryhas had 11, with one death.

CBC Ottawa is profilingthose who've died of COVID-19. If you'd like to share your loved one's story, pleaseget in touch.

What can I do?

Eastern Ontario:

Ontario is under a stay-at-home orderuntil at least the first week of May.

People can only leave home for essential reasons such as getting groceries or health care and exercising. They're asked to only leave their immediate area or province if it's absolutely necessary.

• Here's what you can do under a stay-at-home order

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has saidbylaw officers will inspect stores and respond to complaints about homes and parks.

The vast majority of indoor gatherings are prohibited, with exceptions for people who live together andthose who live alone andpair upwith one other household.

Outdoor gatherings have to be essential, masked and distanced.

Most non-essential businesses can only offer curbside pickup. Access to malls is restricted, and big-box stores can only sell essential items.

Gymsand personal care services must close, whilerestaurants are only available for takeout and delivery.

Local health units and communitiescan also set their own rules, asPrince Edward County's is doing around traveland Kingston is doing forBreakwater Park.

Dr. Vera Etches,Ottawa's medical officer of health, is one of the officials whoasked the province for stronger rules, includingpaid sick leaveandtravel restrictions within Ontario.

Schools have not yet been forced to close,althoughthat could change in Ottawa after this week's spring break. A decision is expected by Wednesday.

Western Quebec

PremierFranois Legaulthas said the situation is critical in Gatineauand is asking people there to only leave home when it's essential.

Schools, gyms, theatres, personal care services and non-essential businesses are closed until April 19in Gatineau and in the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais, which almost entirely surrounds the city.

Private gatherings are banned, except for a person who lives alone seeing one other household.Distanced outdoor exercise is allowed in groups up to eight people.

The curfew there now starts at 8 p.m.

The restof the Outaouais is underred-zone rules, which closes restaurant dining rooms and gyms, but keeps schools,theatres, personal care services and non-essential businesses open with restrictions.

The start of the curfew in this area remains at 9:30 p.m.

People in the Outaouaisare asked to only have close contact with people they live with, be masked and distanced for all other in-person contact and only leave their immediate area for essential reasonsunder threat of a fine if they go to a yellow or green zone.

Distancing and isolating

The novel coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets thatcan hang in the air.

People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine. Coronavirus variants of concernaremore contagious and are spreading quickly.

This means it isimportantto take precautions now and in the futurelikestaying 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 havethree layers, aremandatory in indoor public settingsin Ontarioand Quebec.

OPH says residents shouldwear masks outside their homes whenever possible.

Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditions and/or weakened immune systems stay home as much as possible and gethelp with errands.

Peoplehaveto show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter Canada by land without a fineandhave to pay for their stay in a quarantine hotel if entering by air.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate, as should those who've beenordered to do so by their public health unit. The lengthvaries inQuebecandOntario.

Vaccines

Four COVID-19 vaccines havebeenapprovedin Canada.

Canada's task force said first dosesoffersuch strong protection that people can wait up to four months to get a second.

About 465,000doseshave been given outin the Ottawa-Gatineau regionsince mid-December, including about 204,000 doses toOttawa residentsand about 82,000 in western Quebec.

Eastern Ontario

Ontario is now in Phase 2 of its vaccine rollout, with the first doses during Phase 1 generally going tocare home residents and health-care workers.

All health units in eastern Ontario except Renfrew County are now vaccinating people age 60 and olderat their clinics. Peoplecanbook appointments online or over the phone.

People whoare above or turningage55 can contactparticipating pharmacies for a vaccine appointment. That list grew by more than 100 locations on Monday.

Phase 2 includespeople with underlying health conditionsthis month, followed byessential workerswho can't work from homein May.

Phase 3 should involve vaccinating anyone older than 16 starting in July.

Local health units have some flexibilityin the larger framework,so check their websitesfor details.

The province has opened up appointments for people age 50 to 54 in the K1T, K1V and K2V"hot spot" postal codes, though supply is currently limited. This shouldsoon include all education workers and staff inlarge workplaces.

• Ottawa'hot spot'less hard-hit by COVID-19 than Ontario average
• Search for COVID-19 vaccination rates in your Ottawa neighbourhood

Separately, some Ottawans in certain priority neighbourhoodscan check their eligibility online andcall the city at 613-691-5505 for an appointment.

Indigenous people over age 16 in Ottawa can make an appointment the same way.

Western Quebec

Quebec also started by vaccinatingpeople in care homes and health-care workers.

The vaccination plan now coverspeople age 60and older. Peopleage 55 to 79can line up in their vehicles to get a ticket for awalk-upappointment at Gatineau's Palais des Congrs.

That will befollowed by local essential workers and people with chronic illnesses.

Officials expecteveryone who wants a shot to be able to get one byby Fte nationale on June 24.

People who qualify can make an appointment online or over the phone. Pharmacists there will alsobe giving shots.

Symptoms and testing

COVID-19can range from a cold-like illnessto a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, 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.

• New research aims to protect paramedics against COVID-19 by studying their blood

Mental healthcan also beaffected by the pandemic,andresources are available to help.

In eastern Ontario:

Anyone seeking a testshouldbook an appointment.

Ontariorecommends only getting testedif you have symptoms,if you've been told to by your health unit or the province, orif you fit certain other criteria.

People without symptomsbut who arepart of the province's targeted testing strategycan make an appointment at select pharmacies. This week that includes school staff and students.

Travellers who need a test have very few local options to pay for one.

Check with your area's health unit for clinic locations and hours. Some are offering pop-up or mobile clinics.

In western Quebec:

Tests are strongly recommended for people with symptoms and their contacts.

Outaouais residentscan make an appointment in Gatineauat 135 blvd. Saint-Raymond or 617 ave.Buckingham. They cancheck thewait timefor the Saint-Raymond site.

There arerecurring clinics by appointmentin communities such as Maniwakiand Petite-Nation.

Call 1-877-644-4545 with questions, including if walk-in testing is available nearby.

First Nations, Inuit and Mtis:

First Nations, Inuit and Mtispeople, or someone travelling to work in a remote Indigenous community, are eligible for a test in Ontario.

Akwesasne has a COVID-19 test siteby appointment only and a curfew of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Anyone returning to the community on the Canadian side of the international border who's been farther than 160 kilometres away or visited Montreal for non-essential reasonsis asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

People inPikwakanagancan book a COVID-19 test by calling 613-625-1175.Anyone inTyendinagawho's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603 and in Kitigan Zibi, 819-449-5593.

Inuit in Ottawa can call the Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team at 613-740-0999 for service, including testing andvaccines, in Inuktitut or English on weekdays.

For more information

• Ottawa Public Health.
• Your Eastern Ontario HealthUnit.
• TheOntario Ministry of Health(in several languages).
• TheCentre intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais.
• ThePublic Health Agency of Canada.