What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Friday, April 9

Recent developments:

• Schools could close after spring break, Dr. Vera Etches says.
• Ottawa has broken more pandemic records.
• The city's medical officer of health says schools will likely close.
• Thesurge inCOVID-19 casesisforcing theCornwall hospital to transfer patients.
• Ontario hospitals arehalting non-emergency surgeries as COVID-19 patients fill ICUs.

What's the latest?

It's "more likely than not" that schools will remain closed after the end of next week's spring break, Ottawa's medical officer of health said Friday.

The city has broken several pandemic records again Friday, including for new cases, test positivity and hospitalizations.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches says it's more likely than not that schools will have to close to in-person learning after next week's April break because of the current situation.

A surge of COVID-19 patients is putting unprecedented pressure on the Cornwall Community Hospital, forcing it to transfer other patients elsewhere for care.

Southern Ontario hospitals are joining those in the Outaouais and cancelling non-emergency surgeries because of the strain caused by the pandemic's third wave.

How many cases are there?

The region is in a record-breaking third wave of the pandemic, which includes more dangerous coronavirus variants.

As of Friday, 19,030 Ottawa residents havetested positive for COVID-19. There are 2,023known active cases, 16,536 resolved cases and471deaths.

Public health officials have reported more than 35,000COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 31,100resolved cases.

Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 151people have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 177.

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 Zibiis currently under a stay-at-home order because of a spike of about 15 cases, according to its chief. 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.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said Thursday bylaw officers will inspect stores and respond to complaints in homes and parks

Indoor gatherings are not allowed, except for people who live together andthosewho live alone to see 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.

Schools are not being forced to close.

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

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Local health unitscan also set their own rules, like what Prince Edward County's is doing around travel.

Ottawa's medical officer of health is one of the officialsthat asked the province for stronger rules, includingpaid sick leave, travel restrictions within Ontario and more online learning in places where school outbreaks are a problem.

Western Quebec

PremierFranois Legaultsaid 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. Places of worship can have a maximum of 25 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 when an infected person speaks, coughs, sneezes, or breathesonto someone or something. These dropletscan hang in the air.

People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine. New coronavirus variants can be more 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.

• CBC EXPLAINS |'If you're sick, stay home' is a non-starter for many Canadians

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.

• Why Canadians have reason to be more optimistic about thevaccine rollout

More than 415,000doseshave been given outin the Ottawa-Gatineau regionsince mid-December, including about 182,000 doses toOttawa residentsand about 71,000 in western Quebec.

Eastern Ontario

Ontario's first doses of Phase 1 generally went to care home residents and health-care workers. It is now in Phase 2.

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

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

Phase 3, slated to begin in July, will involve vaccinating anyone older than 16.

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

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

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

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

People whoare above or turningage55 can contactparticipating pharmacies for a vaccine appointmentas part of a pilot project.

Western Quebec

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

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

WATCH | The first day of walk-up appointments:

Quebecers across the province line up to get AstraZeneca shot

4 years ago

Duration 1:18

On Thursday people aged 55 and up were allowed to get inoculated with the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine without an appointment at large vaccination sites.

That will befollowed by local essential workers and people with chronic illness, and finally the general public.

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.

WATCH | Why the wide range of symptoms?

Canadian scientists research what causes wide range of COVID-19 symptoms

4 years ago

Duration 2:03

A team of Halifax researchers is trying to determine why some people get really sick with COVID-19 and some not at all.

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.

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:

Akwesasne has a COVID-19 test siteby appointment only and a curfew of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. It's closed to non-essential visits until Sunday.

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.