What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Friday, July 2

Recent developments:

• Ottawa reported three more COVID-19 casesFriday.
• 80 per cent of adults in the nation's capital have received their first jab.
• The city's long-running test centre on Heron Road has now closed.

What's the latest?

Fifteen months after providing its first COVID-19 test, the Montfort Hospital's testing centre on Heron Road has now shut its doors the first centre in Ottawa to take that step, and another sign there's light at the end of the pandemic's tunnel.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported threeCOVID-19 cases on Friday.

The nation's capital has also reached another vaccine milestone, with 80 per cent of all eligible Ottawans 18 or older now havingreceived their firstdose.

In Western Quebec, health officials have confirmedthe presence of the more transmissible delta variant,identifying four such cases on Friday.

How many cases are there?

As of Friday, 27,679 Ottawa residents hadtested positive for COVID-19.There are 63 known active cases, 27,025casesconsideredresolved, and 591 cases where people have died.

The city enters the summer of 2021 with signs of spread similar to whatthey were in late summer 2020. Health officials have said people can slow spread and allow future steps toward reopeningby following current rules and advice, including getting vaccinated.

Public health officials have reported more than 50,100 COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 48,900 resolved cases.

Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 192people have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 214.

Akwesasnehas had about 700residents test positive and 10 deathsbetween its northern and southern sections.

Kitigan Zibi has had 34 cases and one death. Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has had 11, with one death. Pikwakanagan hasn't had any.

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

What can I do?

Eastern Ontario:

Ontario is inStep 2 of its reopening plan,which bringsback activities such assmall indoor gatherings with people who don't live together and personal care servicesin many regions.

Up to 25 people can gather outside, including to play sports.

The province is supposed to spend at least three weeks in each step before moving forward in its plan, leaning on information such asvaccination, hospitalization and spread rates.

That would mean taking Step 3 and allowing more indoor activitiesno earlier than July 21.

Visitor rules loosen in long-term care homes July 7.

A detailed plan for the next school year is in the works, said the education minister Tuesday.

Western Quebec

Western Quebec is now undergreen zone restrictions, the lowest on the province'sfour-colour scale.

Ten people are allowed to gatherinside private residences and 20 people outdoors which increases to 50 if playing sports.Organized games are permitted outdoors again and gyms are open.

People can eat both indoors and outdoors at restaurants and bars.

Personal care services and non-essential businesses remain open. As many as 3,500 people can gather in a large theatre or arena and atoutdoor festivals.

Travel throughout the province is allowed and no longer not recommended.

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 areestablished.

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 Quebecand recommended in crowded outdoor areas.

There'sfederal guidance for what vaccinated people can do in different situations.

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.

These rules start to change on Tuesdayfor fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditionsgethelp with errands.

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

Vaccines

Four COVID-19 vaccines havebeen deemed safe and approvedin Canada. Three are in use.

Canada's task force saysfirst dosesoffersuch strong protection that people can wait up to 16 weeks to get a second. Supply and the more infectious delta variant are some of the factors pushing provinces to speed that up.

That same task force says it's safe and effective to mix first and second doses. Quebecand Ontario are both doing this in some circumstances.

There is evidence giving a second dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine offers better protection for people who got a first AstraZeneca-Oxford shot; both provinces are giving people who got a first AstraZeneca dose the option to get a second of the same kind.

More than 2.2million doseshave been given outin the Ottawa-Gatineau regionsince mid-December, includingmore than one millionin Ottawa and more than375,000 in western Quebec.

Eastern Ontario

Ontario isvaccinating anyone age12 or older.

All adults are eligible to make or move up a second dose appointment. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines must be given at least four weeks apart, while people who got a first AstraZeneca dose must wait eight weeks.

Peoplecanlook for provincialappointments opening uponlineor over the phone at 1-833-943-3900. Pharmacies continue to offer vaccines through their own booking systems, as do some family doctors.

These bookings depend on the supply being sent to health units.

Local health units haveflexibilityin the larger framework, including around booking,so check their websitesfor details. They offer standby lists for doses on short noticealong with some walk-inclinics.

Western Quebec

Quebec isvaccinating everyone 12 and older.

Its goal is to provide second doses eight weeks after the first. All adults canbook under that timeline.

People who qualify can make an appointment online or over the phoneor visit one of itspermanent and mobile walk-in clinics.

Supply issues mean the local health authority CISSSOisonly offering Moderna at walk-in clinics.

The provinceis hoping to provide second doses by the end of August to 75 per cent of people aged 12 and up.

Symptoms and testing

COVID-19can range from a cold-like illnessto a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, vomitingand loss of taste or smell.

Recently, a runny nose and headache have become more common.

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 testshouldmake an appointment. Check with yourhealth unit for clinic locations and hours.

Ottawa's long-running Heron Road test site is closingtoday.

Ontariorecommends only getting testedif you fit certain criteria, such as having symptoms, exposure or a certain job.

People without symptomsbut who arepart of the province's targeted testing strategycan make an appointment at select pharmacies. Shoppers Drug Mart stores can now offer rapid tests.

Travellers who need a testhave a few morelocal options to pay for one.

In western Quebec:

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

People can make an appointment and check wait times online.

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.Anyone inTyendinagawho's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603

People inPikwakanagancan book a COVID-19 test by calling 613-625-1175 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.