What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Sunday, June 7 - Action News
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What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Sunday, June 7

CBC Ottawa's latest roundup of key points during the coronavirus pandemic.

Key updates on the coronavirus pandemic in the region

Racism is a serious public health issue, Ottawa Public Health says

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Vera Etches, Ottawas chief medical officer of health, says racism is associated with poor physical and mental health, and can therefore be counted alongside COVID-19 as a public health threat.

Recent developments:

  • Ottawa has surpassed 2,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak. Public health officials reported six new cases Sunday and one new death.
  • One death was also reported in western Quebec onSunday. The region's death toll sits at 27 people.
  • Ontario has extended its emergency orders until June 19.
  • Ontario's health ministry reported 415 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing thecumulative provincial total to 30,617.
  • Ottawa Public Health could be millions of dollars in the red by the end of 2020 because of COVID-19.

What's happening today?

The Ontario government has extended its emergency orders for another 10 days. The orderbanning people from dining in bars and restaurantsand gathering in groups larger than fivewas set to expire on June 9, but has now been extended until June 19.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reporting a $280,000 deficit in the first three months of 2020 because of increased spending on overtime hours during the pandemic.

The chair of the Ottawa Board of Health, Coun. Keith Egli, believes if the trend continues, the health agency could be millions of dollars in debt by the end of the year despite $100 million promised by the Ontario government to help public health units with these types of extra costs.

How many cases are there?

As of OPH's latest report on Sunday, there have been2,004confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa and 252 deaths linked to the respiratory illness.

There are nearly 3,200 known cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

More than 2,500 people in the region have recovered from COVID-19.

COVID-19 has killed 50 people in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties, 17 in other parts of eastern Ontario and 25 in the Outaouais.

Confirmed cases are just a snapshot because, until recently, not everyone could be tested in Ontario. Also, not everyone with COVID-19 will go to get tested (potentially because they are asymptomatic) and results take time to process.

What's open and closed?

Ontario is in "stage one" of its three-stage reopening plan. When ready, its next stage should bring more offices, outdoor spaces and gatherings back. Ontario has extended its state of emergency until June 30.

The farmers market at Lansdowne Park is open for pre-ordering and pickup-by-appointment. Drive-in movie theatres and batting cages in Ontario are open.

In Quebec, malls, campgrounds and Airbnbs, courts and services such as dentist offices and hair salons reopened.

National parks and historic sites across Canada, which includes Rideau Canal lockstations, are open. The same goes for backcountry camping at Ontario Parks sites and recreational camping on Crown lands.

Overnight camping and some day-use activities at provincial parks and conservation reserves will continue to be closed until at least next Sunday. (Scott Stevenson/CBC)

The City of Ottawa has cancelled all summer day camps and is providing refunds or credits. The city said it hopes to set up a different type of camp format, similar to what the City of Gatineau is doing.

Many parks are now open with limits, such as not using playground equipment or gathering.

The closure of overnight camping and some day-use activities at provincial parks and conservation reserves will continue until at least June 14. Short-term rentals, which include cottages and bed and breakfasts, are allowed to resume business in Ontario.

Quebec elementary schools outside Montreal are open. Schools for its older students and all Ontario schools are closed through summer.

Post-secondary schools are moving toward more online classes this fall, with Ontario promising a fall plan for younger students by July and Quebec hoping to have students back in class full-time.

Distancing and isolating

The coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People don't need to have symptoms to be contagious.

That means physical distancing measures such as working from home and staying at least two metres away from anyone they don't live with.

Ottawa Public Health now wants people to think about how to safely do certain things and recommends people wear a fabric or non-medical mask when they can't always stay two metres from strangers, such as at a grocery store.

A customer is alone as they walk their bike to pick up an order at the Ottawa Farmers' Market at Lansdowne Park, which opened for online order pickups only starting last weekend due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Anyone who has symptoms or travelled recently outside Canada must self-isolate for at least 14 days.

Specifically in Ottawa, anyone waiting for a COVID-19 test result must self-isolate at least until they know the result.

The same goes for anyone in Ontario who's been in contact with someone who's tested positive or is presumed to have COVID-19.

People 70 and older or with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions should also self-isolate.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a dry cough, vomiting and the loss of taste or smell.

Less common symptoms include chills, headaches and pink eye. The Ontario government says in rare cases, children can develop a rash.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911.

Where to get tested

In eastern Ontario:

In Ottawa any resident who feels they need a test, even if they are not showing symptoms, can now be tested.

Tests are done at the Brewer Arena from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., seven days a week, or at 595 Moodie Dr. and 1485 Heron Rd. those same hours on weekdays.

Testing has also expanded for local residents and employees who work in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit area.

There is a drive-thru test centre in Casselman and assessment centres in Hawkesbury and Winchester that don't require people to call ahead and others in Rockland, and Cornwall that require an appointment.

In Kingston, the assessment centre at the Kingston Memorial Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for anyone with symptoms.

Napanee's test centre is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for people who call for an appointment.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark unit asks you to get tested if you have a symptom or concerns about exposure.

It has a walk-in site in Brockville open seven days a week at the Memorial Centre and testing sites in Smiths Falls and Almonte which require an appointment.

The public health unit in the Belleville area is asking people to call it at 613-966-5500, their family doctor or Telehealth if they have symptoms or questions.

If you have no symptoms, you can arrange a test in Bancroft, Belleville or Trenton by calling the centre, or in Picton by texting 613-813-6864. You can also call Picton's number as a backup.

You may also qualify for a home test.

Renfrew County is also providing home testing under some circumstances. Residents without access to a family doctor can call 1-844-727-6404 if they have health questions, COVID-19-related or not.

If you're concerned about the coronavirus, take the self-assessment.

In western Quebec:

Outaouais residents should call 819-644-4545 if they have symptoms. They could end up being referred to Gatineau's testing centre.

First Nations:

Local communities have declared states of emergency, put in a curfew or both.

Akwesasne has opened a mobile COVID-19 test site available by appointment only. Anyone returning to Akwesasne who's been farther than 80 kilometres away is asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Anyone in Tyendinaga who has symptoms can call 613-967-3603 to talk to a nurse.

Pikwakanagan's council planned to let businesses reopen as of May 29. Kitigan Zibi is keeping schools closed through the summer.

For more information

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