What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Wednesday, Sept. 30

Recent developments:

• Ottawa's top doctoris urging residentsto limit close contacts as the"alarming" rise in COVID-19 cases continues.
• Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group is cutting 40 per cent of its staff at TD Place, saying it's "the harsh result of a brutal pandemic."
• Ottawa Public Health is reporting64 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths to finish September.
• Health Canada has approved arapid COVID-19 testing device.
• The NCC has cancelled its Gatineau Park fall shuttle buses for the year.

What's the latest?

September endswith 64 newCOVID-19 cases in Ottawa, capping off a record-breaking month and whatthe city's medical officerof health called "an alarming increase."

Dr. Vera Etches urged residents Wednesday to stick strictly to a few close contacts, or risk lettingthe illness spiral out of control.

Two more people have died from COVID-19, while 19 patients are currently being treated in hospital.

The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group is cutting 40 per cent of its staff at TD Place, a move its CEO called "the harsh result of a brutal pandemic" as limitson gatherings continueto hammer the entertainment and sports industries.

Health Canada hasapproved the ID NOW rapid COVID-19 testing device, which promises results in 15 minutes without the need to send samples to a lab.

The federal government just announced Tuesdayit would buy some 7.9 millionof these tests.

The National Capital Commission has now cancelled its annual fall shuttle bus program to Gatineau Park to see the fall colours, saying it wants to discourage crowding in the park.

How many cases are there?

As of the most recent OPH update on Tuesday, 4,322 Ottawa residents have tested positive for COVID-19. That includes 685knownactive cases,3,350resolved cases and 287deaths.

Overall, public health officials have reported more than6,500 cases ofCOVID-19 across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, with more than5,100of those casesconsidered resolved.

COVID-19 has killed 104 people in the region outside Ottawa: 52 people have died in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties, 34 in the Outaouais and 18 in other parts of eastern Ontario.

What's open and closed?

Some public health rules are being rolled backbecause of the second waveof the pandemic.

Ottawa and Kingston, Ont., public health officials areordering anyone with symptoms or who has been identified as a close contact of someone who's tested positiveto immediately self-isolate or face a fine of up to$5,000 per day in court.

Kingstonhas also tightened its distancing rules in city parksand increased fines.

Ottawa will resume ticketing drivers who park longer than allowed in unmarked areasand bring back public skating at five city arenastomorrow

It's also closing the McNabb Arena respite centre for people without housing on Fridayand expanding services at nearby support centres

As of Monday, visitors to long-term care homes inOttawawill be restricted to staff, essential visitors and one or twocaregivers only.

Health officials urge return to smaller social bubbles

4 years ago

Duration 8:52

Public health officials in Canada's largest cities are saying it's time to downsize your social bubble and interact only with those in your household as the coronavirus pandemic enters a second wave.

Private, unmonitored gatherings across Ontario are now limited to 10 people indoors and 25people outdoors.

Quebec has introduced tighter restrictions in the province's "orange zones," which nowincludes the Outaouais.

WATCH | Experts call for earlier versions of social 'bubble':

University of Ottawa student who tested positive for COVID-19 says contacts werent traced by OPH

4 years ago

Duration 1:16

Kate Brown says after learning her result she let all her friends know. She prepared a list for Ottawa Public Health but they never called and she feels if she hadnt notified people herself there may have been wider community spread.

Distancing and isolating

The novel coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes or speaks onto someone or something.

People canbe contagious without symptoms.

This means precautions such as working from home, keeping your hands and frequently-touched surfaces clean socializingoutdoors as much as possible and keeping distance from anyone you don't live with or have in yoursocialcircle, including when you have a mask on.

Ottawa's medical officer of health is pleading with residents to reduce the number of people they're in close contact withas new cases of COVID-19 continue to surge, this week asking residents to see very few people they don't live with.

Masks aremandatory in indoor public settings in all of eastern Ontarioand Quebec, includingtransit services and taxis in some areas.

Masks are also recommended outdoors when you can't stay the proper distance from others.

Anyone who has travelled recently outside Canadamust go straight home and stay there for 14 days.

Most people with a confirmed COVID-19 case in Quebeccan end their self-isolation after 10 days if they have not had a fever for at least 48 hours and has had no other symptom for at least 24 hours.

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

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19can 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 candevelop a rash.

Getting tested any sooner than five days after potential exposure may not be usefulsince thevirus may not yet bedetectable, says OPH.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911.

Where to get tested

Wait times and lines have been long at many of the area's test sites, causing some to reach capacity before closing time or even before opening.

There have also been delays processing tests at laboratories.

Ontario health officials have said they're trying to add more test capacity.

WATCH | U of O student still waiting for contact-tracing call:

Not all COVID-19 measures need to be provincewide, says Ontario chief medical officer of health

4 years ago

Duration 3:24

Fighting a rise in Ontario COVID-19 cases requires concentrated measures, says Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams, who appealed for people to take a 'what else can we do?' attitude.

In eastern Ontario:

The Ontario government recommends only getting tested if you have symptoms, or if you've been told to by your health unit or the province because of your work.

• Confused about COVID-19 testing guidelines? Find out if you should get tested

Most ofOttawa's testinghappensat one of four permanent sites, with additional mobile sites wherever demand is particularly high.

A testclinic is expected toopenat the Ray FrielRecreation Complexin Orlans, likely bymid-October.

People without symptoms, but who are part of the province's targeted testing strategy, can make an appointment at select Ottawa pharmacies.

WATCH |Focus on targeted lockdowns if needed:

In the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, there are drive-thru centres in Casselman andLimogesand a walk-up sitein Hawkesburythat doesn't require people to call ahead.

Its medical officer of health says the Casselman centre will be moved to reduce its impact on traffic.

Others in Alexandria, Rockland,Cornwall andWinchesterrequire an appointment.

In Kingston, the city's test site is nowattheBeechgrove Complex nearKing StreetWest and Portsmouth Avenue.

Napanee's test centre is open daily for people who call ahead.

People canarrange a test in Bancroft, Belleville,Picton or Trenton by calling the centre. Only Belleville and Trenton run seven days a week andalso offer online booking.

TheLeeds, Grenville and Lanark unithas walk-in sites in KemptvilleandBrockville.

There are permanent testing sites in Smiths Falls and Almonte which require an appointment, along with pop-up sites by appointment inCarleton Placetoday andPerthFriday.

Renfrew County residents should call their family doctor. Those without access to a family doctor can call 1-844-727-6404 for a test or if they have health questions, COVID-19-related or not.

People can also visit the health unit's website to find out where testing clinics will be taking place each week.

In western Quebec:

Outaouais residents can make an appointmentin 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.

There are recurring clinics by appointment in communities such as Gracefield, Val-des-Monts and Fort-Coulonge.

They can call 1-877-644-4545if they have other questions, including if walk-in testing is available nearby.

Tests are strongly recommended for people with symptoms or who have been in contact with someone with symptoms. People without symptoms can also get a test.

First Nations, Inuit and Mtis:

Akwesasne has had 14 confirmed COVID-19 cases, most linked to a gathering on an island in July.

It has a mobile COVID-19 test site available by appointment only.

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.

• COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: What you need to know this week

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

People inPikwakanagan can book an appointment for a COVID-19 test by calling 613-625-2259.

Anyone inTyendinaga who's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603 to talk to a nurse.

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.