What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 26

Recent developments:

• Ottawa Public Health reported7 new cases and 1 new death on Tuesday.
• The number of newly confirmedCOVID-19 cases reported in Ontario has dropped below previous days' totals, but testing in the province continues to lag.
• Day camps will go ahead in Gatineau, Que., this summer, but at half capacity and with no outings.
• Visit our Facebook page dedicated to feel-good local stories.

What's happening today?

Ontario reported 287 additional known cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, a welcome drop after five straight days with more than 400.

The Ottawa Public Library will begin a partial resumption of services by offeringcurbside pickup and return of booksat six locations starting in June, as part of the first phase of its reopening plan.

Day camps will go ahead in Gatineau, Que., this summer, but with fewer kids and no outings or swimming because of COVID-19.

The City of Ottawa has opened four cooling centres to provide people refugefrom the heat currently bearing down on the region.

Send in your questions about COVID-19 and the workplace for CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning's weekly Q&A on Wednesday after 8 a.m.

How many cases are there?

There have been 1,908confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa and 235deaths linked to the respiratory illness. There are more than 3,000 known cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

More than 2,100 people in the region have recovered from COVID-19.

The deaths of 49 people in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties and 30 more in the wider region have also been tied to the coronavirus.

Confirmed cases are just a snapshot because not everyone can be tested and results take time to process, though testing criteria are being expanded.

What's open and closed?

Ontario isin "stage one" of its three-stage reopening plan. When ready,its next stageshould bring more offices, outdoor spaces and gatherings back.

Quebecnow allows larger outdoor gatherings. Itslibraries, drive-ins and museums can reopen Friday, with malls andservices such as dentist offices and hair salons poised toreopen Monday.

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Gatineau Park andprovincial parks are now open with limits, like the National Capital Commission and Ottawa-Gatineau city parks.

National parks start to reopen Monday.

This Sunday,the farmersmarket at Lansdowne Park reopens for preordering and picking up ata designated time.

Ontario schools are closed throughsummer. Post-secondary schools are moving toward more online classes this fall, with the province promising a fall plan for younger students by July.

Quebec elementary schools outside Montreal are open. Its high schools, CEGEPs and universities are closed to in-person classesuntil fall.

• POINT OF VIEW |Lessons learned from the return to school

Ottawa has cancelled event permits until the end of August. Quebec has asked organizers to cancel events until September.

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 avoiding non-essential trips, working from home, not gathering and staying at least two metres away from anyone they don't live with.

WATCH: COVID-19's spectrum of risk

Its a crisis: Orlans medical clinic shuts down during pandemic

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Carole Legault and Sophia Wright, who were both patients at Asclepios Medical Centre, say its closure has left them facing a lot of uncertainty made more stressful by the ongoing pandemic.

Ottawa Public Health 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.

Anyone who has symptoms, travelled recently outside Canada or, specifically in Ottawa, is waiting for a COVID-19 test result must self-isolate for at least 14 days.

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 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.

WATCH: COVID-19 a factor in Orlansclinic closing

Lack of safety gear one challenge facing dentists as offices reopen

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Dental offices across the country are slowly reopening, but they have to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and many are having a hard time finding the necessary protective equipment.

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 Brockvilleopen seven days a week at the Memorial Centreand testing sites in Smiths Falls andAlmontewhich require an appointment.

WATCH:Slow return for Canada's dental offices

Keep outside gatherings to a maximum of ten people, Legault says

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Premier Franois Legault is reminding Quebecers that outside gatherings of ten people are allowed but from no more than three different families.

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

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

WATCH: Quebec reminds residents to limit outdoor gatherings

First Nations communities

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.

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

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

For more information

• Ottawa Public Health.
• Your local eastern Ontario health unit.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health (in several languages).
• The Centre intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada.