What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 14

Recent developments:

• Ottawa is reporting 329 more COVID-19 cases, the Outaouais 207.
• Six more people have died from COVID-19 in the region.
• Ottawa city councillorswill now be able to request parks in their wards be closed early.

What's the latest?

Ottawa is reporting 329 more COVID-19 cases, while the health authority for the Outaouais reports 207 more cases.

Six more people have died of COVID-19: three in Ottawa, two in the Outaouais and one in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties.

A day after Ottawa's mayor said he'dasked city staff to look into closing city parks at 8 p.m. during the stay-at-home order, the citymanager said that power will rest with individual councillors who can request "problematic" parks in their wards be closed at9 p.m.

How many cases are there?

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

As of Tuesday, 20,596Ottawa residents havetested positive for COVID-19. There are 2,755known active cases, 17,362resolved cases and479deaths.

Public health officials have reported more than 37,900COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 32,200resolved cases.

Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 158people have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 180.

Akwesasnehas had more than 580 residents test positive, evenly split between its northern and southern sections.

Kitigan Zibihas hada spike of about 15 cases 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. An8 p.m. curfew in city parks is on the table.

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.

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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.

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Ontario is indefinitely moving to online learning after April break. Daycares remain open for now.

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

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 25in Gatineau and in the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais, which almost entirely surrounds the city.

As of 8 p.m tonight, that covers the entire region.

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 and masks are mandatory if people mix households.

The curfewstarts at 8 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.

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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.

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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. Masks are mandatory in the Outaouaisif people are sitting outside with someone they don't live with and can't keep two metres apart.

Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditions and/or weakened immune systemsgethelp 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 havebeen deemed safe and approvedin Canada.

• What the U.S. recommendation for Johnson & Johnson's vaccine means for Canada
• Health Canada reviewsays people shouldn't hesitate to get AstraZeneca vaccine

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

More than 490,000doseshave been given outin the Ottawa-Gatineau regionsince mid-December, including about 221,000 doses toOttawa residentsand about 88,000 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 Ontarioare 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.

• Pharmacies and vaccines? Here's what you need to know

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 Ottawa'sK1T, K1V and K2V"hot spot" postal codes, though supply is currently limited.

Separately, some Ottawans in certain priority neighbourhoodscan check their eligibility online andcall the city at 613-691-5505 for an appointment. This shouldsoon include all education workers and staff inlarge workplaces.

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 55 and older, along withlocal essential workers and people with chronic illnesses.

Peopleage 55 to 79can line up in their vehicles to get a ticket for awalk-upappointment at Gatineau's Palais des Congrs.

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.

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.

• COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: What you need to know

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.