Hospitalizations nudge upward in otherwise stable respiratory checkup

Ottawa is back in high-risk respiratory territory because of an increase in new hospitalizations.

COVID-19and RSVtrends are generally seen as low in theweekly respiratoryupdate from Ottawa Public Health (OPH).

Flu wastewater readings and hospitalizations remain very highas this flu season stretches into spring.

OPH said there were 17 new COVID, flu and RSVhospitalizations the week starting March 24, and 27 the week starting March 31.

The city's health-care institutions were considered at higher respiratory risk from the end of August until the end of March.

Health officialrecommendations includepeople cover coughs,wear masks, keephandsclean, stay home when sick andkeepup with vaccinesto help protect themselves andvulnerable people.

COVID-19 in Ottawa

Ottawa's recentcoronavirus wastewater averageis stable.

The weekly average test positivity rate in the city is around threeper cent.There were 12 new COVID-related hospitalizations in the city and theactive COVID outbreak count is five.

There havebeen twomore COVIDdeaths reported in the capital.

OPH's next monthly COVID vaccination updateis expected in early May.

Across the region

Inwestern Quebec, a stable16hospital patients have tested positive forCOVID.

The Kingston areahealth unitis stableinhigh-risk respiratory territory. One more COVID death has been reported there.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unitstillrates its overall respiratory risk as moderate and stable.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health's weekly COVID hospital average is two patients.

Renfrew County's COVID trends are low and stable.

Leeds, Grenville and Lanarkdatagoes up to March 31, when mosttrends were stable.