What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Sunday, Nov. 15 - Yahoo News Canada

Recent developments:

The Maniwaki, Que., area is facing red zone restrictions as COVID-19 cases climb.

What’s the latest?

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The COVID-19 pandemic is creating boom times for local businesses in picturesque Almonte, Ont., as people decide to travel closer to home — but local health officials would prefer that visitors from higher-risk areas stay away.” data-reactid=”36″>The COVID-19 pandemic is creating boom times for local businesses in picturesque Almonte, Ont., as people decide to travel closer to home — but local health officials would prefer that visitors from higher-risk areas stay away.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported another 62 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and two more deaths.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The provincial government, meanwhile, confirmed more than 1,200 cases — numbers that come as Ontario faces the prospect of another lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.” data-reactid=”38″>The provincial government, meanwhile, confirmed more than 1,200 cases — numbers that come as Ontario faces the prospect of another lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Across the river in western Quebec, health officials reported 41 new cases on Sunday.

How many cases are there?

As of Sunday, 7,906 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Ottawa. There are 525 active cases and 7,023 resolved cases.

The city’s death toll stands at 358.

Public health officials have reported more than 12,500 COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 10,900 resolved cases.

Eighty-eight people with COVID-19 have died elsewhere in eastern Ontario, along with 64 in western Quebec.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="CBC Ottawa is profiling those who’ve died of COVID-19, starting with one of the city’s youngest victims. If you’d like to share your loved one’s story, please get in touch.” data-reactid=”45″>CBC Ottawa is profiling those who’ve died of COVID-19, starting with one of the city’s youngest victims. If you’d like to share your loved one’s story, please get in touch.

What can I do?

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Both Ontario and Quebec are telling people to limit close contact only to those they live with, or one other home if people live alone, to slow the spread of the coronavirus.” data-reactid=”47″>Both Ontario and Quebec are telling people to limit close contact only to those they live with, or one other home if people live alone, to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Ottawa is currently in the orange zone of the provincial pandemic scale, meaning larger organized gatherings are allowed and restaurants, gyms and theatres can reopen.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Ottawa's medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, has said people should focus on managing risks and taking precautions, such as seeing a few friends outside at a distance.” data-reactid=”49″>Ottawa’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, has said people should focus on managing risks and taking precautions, such as seeing a few friends outside at a distance.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is in yellow, with slightly looser rules around serving hours and restaurant capacities, but they are slated to be moved to orange as of Monday.

The rest of eastern Ontario is green, the lowest level.

The medical officer of health for the Kingston, Ont., area is asking residents to stay within the region to avoid more “spillover” from Toronto and Ottawa.

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<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="In Gatineau and the surrounding area, which is one of Quebec’s red zones, health officials say the situation is stable, but now needs to improve. They are still asking residents not to leave home unless it’s essential.” data-reactid=”54″>In Gatineau and the surrounding area, which is one of Quebec’s red zones, health officials say the situation is stable, but now needs to improve. They are still asking residents not to leave home unless it’s essential.

Indoor dining at restaurants remains prohibited, while gyms, cinemas and performing arts venues are all closed.

The rest of western Quebec is orange, which allows private gatherings of up to six people and organized ones up to 25 — with more in seated venues.

Travel from one region to another discouraged throughout the Outaouais. Ontario says people shouldn’t travel to a lower-level region from a higher one.

What about schools?

There have been about 200 schools in the wider Ottawa-Gatineau region with a confirmed case of COVID-19:

Few have had outbreaks, which are declared by a health unit in Ontario when there’s a reasonable chance someone who has tested positive caught COVID-19 during a school activity.

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Distancing and isolating

The novel coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes or speaks onto someone or something. These droplets can hang in the air.

People can be contagious without symptoms.

This means people should take precautions such as staying home when sick, keeping hands and frequently touched surfaces clean, socializing outdoors as much as possible and maintaining distance from anyone they don’t live with — even with a mask on.

Ontario has abandoned its concept of social circles.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Etches says people should be wary of blind spots, like taking a lunch break at work with colleagues or carpooling.” data-reactid=”68″>Etches says people should be wary of blind spots, like taking a lunch break at work with colleagues or carpooling.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Masks are mandatory in indoor public settings in Ontario and Quebec and should be worn outdoors when people can’t distance from others. Three-layer non-medical masks with a filter are recommended.” data-reactid=”93″>Masks are mandatory in indoor public settings in Ontario and Quebec and should be worn outdoors when people can’t distance from others. Three-layer non-medical masks with a filter are recommended.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate, as should those who've been ordered to do so by their local public health unit. The duration depends on the circumstances in both Ontario and Quebec.” data-reactid=”94″>Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate, as should those who’ve been ordered to do so by their local public health unit. The duration depends on the circumstances in both Ontario and Quebec.

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

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Anyone who has travelled recently outside Canada must go straight home and stay there for 14 days.” data-reactid=”96″>Anyone who has travelled recently outside Canada must go straight home and stay there for 14 days.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, vomiting and the loss of taste or smell. ” data-reactid=”98″>COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, vomiting and the loss of taste or smell.

Less common symptoms include chills, headaches and pink eye. Children can develop a rash.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911.

Mental health can also be affected by the pandemic and resources are available to help.

Where to get tested

In eastern Ontario:

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Ontario recommends only getting tested if you have symptoms, or if you’ve been told to by your health unit or the province.” data-reactid=”104″>Ontario recommends only getting tested if you have symptoms, or if you’ve been told to by your health unit or the province.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Anyone seeking a test should now book an appointment. Different sites in the area have different ways to book, including over the phone or going in person to get a time slot.” data-reactid=”105″>Anyone seeking a test should now book an appointment. Different sites in the area have different ways to book, including over the phone or going in person to get a time slot.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="People without symptoms, but who are part of the province's targeted testing strategy, can make an appointment at select pharmacies.” data-reactid=”106″>People without symptoms, but who are part of the province’s targeted testing strategy, can make an appointment at select pharmacies.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Ottawa has eight permanent test sites, with additional mobile sites deployed wherever demand is particularly high.” data-reactid=”107″>Ottawa has eight permanent test sites, with additional mobile sites deployed wherever demand is particularly high.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The Eastern Ontario Health Unit has sites in Alexandria, Cornwall, Hawkesbury, Limoges, Rockland and Winchester.” data-reactid=”108″>The Eastern Ontario Health Unit has sites in Alexandria, Cornwall, Hawkesbury, Limoges, Rockland and Winchester.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark health unit has permanent sites in Almonte, Brockville, Kemptville and Smiths Falls.” data-reactid=”109″>The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark health unit has permanent sites in Almonte, Brockville, Kemptville and Smiths Falls.

Kingston’s test site is at the Beechgrove Complex. The area’s other test site is in Napanee.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="People can arrange a test in Bancroft and Picton by calling the centre or Belleville and Trenton online.” data-reactid=”131″>People can arrange a test in Bancroft and Picton by calling the centre or Belleville and Trenton online.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Renfrew County residents should call their family doctor or 1-844-727-6404 for a test or with questions, COVID-19-related or not. Test clinic locations are posted weekly. There are none on Remembrance Day.” data-reactid=”132″>Renfrew County residents should call their family doctor or 1-844-727-6404 for a test or with questions, COVID-19-related or not. Test clinic locations are posted weekly. There are none on Remembrance Day.

In western Quebec:

Tests are strongly recommended for people with symptoms or who have been in contact with someone with symptoms.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Outaouais residents can make an appointment in Gatineau seven days a week at 135 blvd. Saint-Raymond or 617 avenue Buckingham.” data-reactid=”135″>Outaouais residents can make an appointment in Gatineau seven days a week at 135 blvd. Saint-Raymond or 617 avenue Buckingham.

They can now check the approximate wait time for the Saint-Raymond site.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="There are recurring clinics by appointment in communities such as Gracefield, Val-des-Monts and Fort-Coulonge.” data-reactid=”137″>There are recurring clinics by appointment in communities such as Gracefield, Val-des-Monts and Fort-Coulonge.

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

First Nations, Inuit and Métis:

Akwesasne now has 30 known active cases of COVID-19, its highest of the pandemic.Ten of them are on the Canadian side of the international border.

Its council is asking residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Aswesasne schools are temporarily closed to in-person learning and its Tsi Snaihne Child Care Centre has also closed. It has a COVID-19 test site available by appointment only.” data-reactid=”142″>Aswesasne schools are temporarily closed to in-person learning and its Tsi Snaihne Child Care Centre has also closed. It has a COVID-19 test site available by appointment only.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="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 reasons is asked to self-isolate for 14 days.” data-reactid=”143″>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 reasons is asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte reported its first confirmed case last week.

People in Pikwakanagan can book a COVID-19 test by calling 613-625-2259.

Anyone in Tyendinaga who’s interested in a test can call 613-967-3603.

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

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