What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Thursday, March 19
Key updates on the coronavirus pandemic in the region
Recent developments:
- 2 new cases in Ottawa, 1 at CFB Trenton.
- Canada-U.S. border restrictions likely early Saturday;Emergency fundsearly April.
- Ontario will accept expired health cards, driver's licenses.
- Send in questions for Ottawa's medical officer of health on Ottawa MorningFriday.
What you should know
Ottawa Public Health continues to ask all residents to exercise social distancing as much as possiblebecause people may be carrying the novel coronavirus without knowing it.
This means if you can, you should work from home, limit the number of other people you come into close contact with, avoid non-essential trips out, cancel gatherings and try to keep a two-metre distance from others.
The current recommendation from Ottawa Public Health is that time spent outdoors is fine so long as you keep your distance from others.
WATCH: Ottawanskeep busy outside during outbreak
If you've recently leftthe country or have been in close contact with someone who has travelled, you should self-isolate for 14 days.
People should also self-isolate if they feel sick for 14 days or until 24 hours after symptoms are gone, whichever is longer.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergencyMarch 17, banning organized public events larger than 50 people and closing daycares, recreation centres and eat-in restaurants for the rest of the month.
Quebec put similar measures in place on Sunday, March 15.
Grocery stores, pharmacies and take-out and drive-thru food businesses will stay open but many stores are temporarily closing, leaving workers uncertain about how they'll make ends meet.
Some grocery stores and pharmaciesare opening early for more vulnerable customers, including the elderly.
WATCH: Premier won't limit people in grocery stores
The federal government's $82B aid package should start rolling out in two to three weeks, said Finance Minister Bill Morneau Thursday, March 19.
The Canada-U.S. bordershould closeto non-essential travelovernight Friday, March 20, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Thursday, March 19.
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A number of new closures in Ottawa-Gatineau,including many municipal facilities,wentinto effect March 16.
Public transit is still running, but with changes including rear door boarding and less-frequent schedules.
Ottawa residents needing informationcan still call 311 and all essential servicessuch asgarbage and recycling collection, andbylaw some services will continue.
Hydro Ottawa won't disconnect anyone'spower until the end of July and is suspending "account collection actions."
Universities have asked everyone who can tomove out of residences bySunday, March 22unless they're inexceptional circumstances, such as some international students.
Spread of COVID-19 in Ottawa
Sixteen people in Ottawahave now tested positive for COVID-19, includingSophie Grgoire Trudeau,a City of Ottawa employee at 100 Constellation Dr., a Health Canada employee at Tunney's Pastureandthree employees of tech company Ciena in Kanata.
It's not yet clear whether anunidentifiedOttawa Senators player with mild symptoms the team announced late Tuesday nightis among that number.
One Ottawa patient,a person in their 60s, wasin hospital but has since been released. One person whose COVID-19 status has yet to be confirmed is in hospital.
All confirmed cases are linked to travel.
There are a total of 31 cases in eastern Ontario 10separated from the public at CFB Trenton and one confirmed Wednesday, March 18 at the Hull Hospital.
As of Thursday afternoon, Quebec had 121 confirmed cases, Ontario had 258 fiveare no longer considered contagious and 801 confirmed and presumptivecases nationwide.
Ten deaths in Canada have been linked to COVID-19:sevenin B.C., two in Ontario and one in Quebec.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms of COVID-19 range from a very mild, cold-like illness to a severe lung infection. The most common symptoms include fever, fatigueand a dry cough.
Anyone who has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to wake up and bluish lips or face should go to the emergency room.
Older people, those with compromised immune systemsand those with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetesare more likely to develop serious illness.
The coronavirusprimarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The virus can also spread through close, prolonged contact, like touching or handshaking, andit can spread from person to person via surfaces like door handles, mobile phones, tables and light switches.
That's why washing hands thoroughlyand keeping surfaces clean, along with social distancing, can help stop its spread.
Important links and contacts
Anyone in Ottawa who has a new or worsening cough or feverand hastravelled outside Canada, orhas been in contact with a confirmed case, should go to the COVID-19 screening centre at the Brewer Arena.
If you don't have symptoms, you won't be tested and should self-isolate for 14 days.
The centre is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at151 Brewer Way, off Bronson Avenue near Carleton University. It's unique because you don't have to call ahead.
It's meant to divert non-emergency cases away from hospitals.
People with mild symptoms who do not meet these criteria should self-isolate until 24 hours after their symptoms are gone.
People with severe symptoms should call 911.
In western Quebec:
Gatineau'sdowntown assessment locationat 135 Blvd. Saint-Raymond can do 56 tests a day and the test results take about 24 hours.
Anyone who's left the country should self-isolate for 14 days and call the province's toll-free line at 1-877-644-4545 if they have a cough or fever.
Anyone else who is sick should avoid direct contact with vulnerable people and practise social distancing.
If your symptoms require a trip to the emergency room, call ahead to that number if your condition allows to let them know your travel history.
WATCH:Quebec to increase COVID-19 testing, premier says
In eastern Ontario outside Ottawa:
There is also an assessment centre in Kingston, which reported its first three cases March 17, at the Hotel Dieu Hospital at 166 Brock St., open 1 to 8 p.m.
Renfrew County is providing home testing under some circumstances.
The province generally advises people experiencing symptoms to first callTelehealth at1-866-797-0000, thentheir local health unit.
The public health unitin the Belleville area isasking people only call it at 613-966-5500if they've checked thewebsite and still have questions.
Kingston's public health unit says check its website and call Telehealthwith remaining questions.
- 3 new cases of COVID-19 in Kingston, Ont., area
- First Nations welcome $305 million COVID-19 fund, wait for details
Renfrew County's unit says people shouldonly call 613-735-8654 ext.577 if they have symptoms and have returned to Canada within 14 days. The same advice goes for Leeds, Grenville and Lanark's unit at 613-345-5685.
The Mohawk communitiesof Akwesasne and Mohawks of the Bay of Quintehavedeclared a state of emergency to prepare for possible cases.
The Algonquin communities ofKitigan Zibi and Pikwakanaganhave scaled back non-essential services and are asking residents to follow general public health advice.
For more information, visit:
- Ottawa Public Health,
- your localeastern Ontario health unit,
- the Ontario Ministry of Health(in several languages), including theirself-assessment tool.
- the Public Health Agency of Canada.
- the Centre intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais(in French).
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