What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Monday, April 19

Recent developments:

• Ottawa reports 203 more COVID-19 cases as it sets more hospital records.
• As ICUs fill up, doctors are confronting grim choices of who gets life-saving care.
• Police have startedstoppingvehiclesat the Ontario-Quebecborder.
• The federal budget should be released around 4 p.m. ET.

What's the latest?

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reporting 203newCOVID-19casesMonday and no deaths.

There are 131 residents with COVID-19 in hospital, a new record that more than doubles the record before this third wave. A record 34 of those patients are in an ICU.

Ontario is drawing precariously close to the point its intensive care doctors won't have enough ICU beds to offer patients that need life-saving care.

Policehave started checking drivers at the Ontario-Quebec borderto make sure they're coming for essential reasons,causing long lines in places during the morning commute.

The federal budget should be released at 4 p.m. ET, with CBC's live digital and televisioncoverage starting an hour earlier.

How many cases are there?

The region is in a record-breaking third wave of the pandemic thatincludes more dangerous coronavirus variants, pushinghospitals past their limits.

As of Monday, 22,038 Ottawa residents havetested positive for COVID-19. There are 3,412known active cases, 18,144resolved cases and482deaths.

Public health officials have reported more than 40,300COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 33,400resolved cases.

Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 163people have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 185.

Akwesasnehas had nearly 600residents test positive, evenly split between its northern and southern sections.

Kitigan Zibihas had27 cases.Tyendinaga Mohawk Territoryhas had 11, with one death.

CBC Ottawa is profilingthose who've died of COVID-19. If you'd like to share your loved one's story, pleaseget in touch.

What can I do?

Eastern Ontario:

Ontario is under a stay-at-home orderthat has been extended until at least May 20.

People can only leave home for essential reasons such as getting groceries, seeking health careand exercising. They're asked to only leave their immediate area or province ifabsolutely necessary.

The vast majority of gatherings are prohibited, with exceptions that includepeople who live together,those who live alone andpair upwith one other household, and small religious services.

Police checkpoints are now in effect at border crossings between Ontario and Quebec and officers in Ontario have the power to stop and question people if they believe they'vegathered illegally.

WATCH | The life-or-death decisions Ontario doctors may soon face:

Ontario doctors prepare to triage care for sickest COVID-19 patients

3 years ago

Duration 7:16

With Ontarios intensive care units approaching a breaking point, doctors are preparing to use triage protocols to determine which of the sickest patients there is capacity to save.

Most non-essential businesses can only offer curbside pickup. Access to malls is restrictedand big-box stores can only sell essential items.

Gymsand personal care services areclosed, whilerestaurants are only available for takeout and delivery.

Ontario has indefinitely movedto online learning. Daycares remain open for now.

Local health units and communitiescan also set their own rules, asPrince Edward County's is doing around traveland Kingston is doing forBreakwater Park.

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Western Quebec

PremierFranois Legaulthas said the situation is critical in Gatineauand is asking people there to only leave home when it's essential.

Schools, gyms, theatres, personal care services and non-essential businesses are closed until Sunday in the Outaouais.

Private gatherings are banned, except for a person who lives alone seeing one other household.Distanced outdoor exercise is allowed in groups up to eight people and masks are no longer mandatoryif doing so.

WATCH | Long waits at some Ontario-Quebec border crossings:

Drivers face long lines as checkpoints begin between Ontario and Quebec

3 years ago

Duration 1:21

Police checkpoints limiting non-essential travel between the two provinces began Monday, resulting in long lines at border crossings.

The curfewis from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

People thereare asked to only have close contact with people they live with, be masked and distanced for all other in-person contact and only leave their immediate area for essential reasonsunder threat of a fine if they go to a yellow or green zone.

WATCH | What's expected in the federal budget:

What to expect in the federal budget

3 years ago

Duration 2:15

CBCs chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton breaks down what to expect in the first federal budget in two years, including details of a long-awaited national child-care program.

Distancing and isolating

The novel coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets thatcan hang in the air.

People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine. Coronavirus variants of concernaremore contagious and are spreading quickly.

This means it isimportantto take precautions now and in the futurelikestaying home while sick and getting help with costs if needed keeping hands and surfaces clean and maintaining distance from anyone you don't live with, even with a mask on.

WATCH | Doctors advocate for more essential worker support:

Frustrated Ontario doctors call for help for essential workers as ICUs fill up

3 years ago

Duration 4:33

With many Ontario ICUs operating at or above full capacity, more doctors are sharing frustrations about the limitations of COVID-19 restrictions and the lack of support for essential workers.

Masks, preferably ones that fit snugly and havethree layers, aremandatory in indoor public settingsin Ontarioand Quebec.

OPH says residents shouldwear masks outside their homes whenever possible.

Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditions and/or weakened immune systemsgethelp with errands.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate, as should those who've beenordered to do so by their public health unit. The lengthvaries inQuebecandOntario.

Peoplehaveto show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter Canada by land without a fineandhave to pay for their stay in a quarantine hotel if entering by air.

WATCH | The federal budget hopes of the Ottawa airport:

Ottawa airport facing long-term financial struggle as pandemic drags on

3 years ago

Duration 1:20

Mark Laroche, CEO of the Ottawa International Airport, says the number of daily flights has dropped from 110 to six or seven, leaving the airport dealing with a precipitous drop in revenue that may have lasting effects.

Vaccines

Four COVID-19 vaccines havebeen deemed safe and approvedin Canada.

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Canada's task force said first dosesoffersuch strong protection that people can wait up to four months to get a second.

More than 560,000doseshave been given outin the Ottawa-Gatineau regionsince mid-December, including about 260,000 doses toOttawa residentsand about 103,000 in western Quebec.

Eastern Ontario

Ontario is now in Phase 2 of its vaccine rollout, with the first doses during Phase 1 generally going tocare home residents and health-care workers.

All health units in eastern Ontarioare now vaccinating people age 60 and olderat their clinics. It's 55 and over in Renfrew County. Peoplecanbook appointments online or over the phone at 1-833-943-3900.

People whoare 40or are turningage40 this year can contactparticipating pharmacies for a vaccine appointment.

Phase 2 now includespeople with underlying health conditions, followed byessential workerswho can't work from homein May.

Phase 3 should involve vaccinating anyone older than 16 starting in July.

WATCH|Transit union pushing for access to vaccine:

Transit union pushing for access to vaccine as cases among OC Transpo workers rise

3 years ago

Duration 1:15

Clint Crabtree, president of ATU local 279, says anxiety and fear among OC Transpo workers is on the rise as COVID-19 cases increase, leading members to push for more safety measures and access to the vaccine.

Local health units have some flexibilityin the larger framework,so check their websitesfor details.

The province has opened up appointments for people age 50 to 54 in Ottawa'sK1T, K1V and K2V"hot spot" postal codes.

Separately, some Ottawans in priority neighbourhoods age 50 and upcan check their eligibility online and make an appointment through the city for a pop-up clinic.

Indigenous people over age 16 in Ottawa can make an appointment the same way.

Western Quebec

Quebec also started by vaccinatingpeople in care homes and health-care workers.

The vaccination plan now coverspeople age 55 and older, along withlocal essential workers and people with chronic illnesses.

Peopleage 55 to 79can line up in their vehicles to get a ticket for awalk-upappointment at Gatineau's Palais des Congrs.

It is considering lowering its AstraZeneca age limit.

Officials expecteveryone who wants a shot to be able to get one byby Fte nationale on June 24.

People who qualify can make an appointment online or over the phone. Pharmacists there have started giving shotswith appointments through the province, not individual pharmacies.

Symptoms and testing

COVID-19can range from a cold-like illnessto a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, vomiting and loss of taste or smell.Children tend to have an upset stomach and/or a rash.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911.

Mental healthcan also beaffected by the pandemic,andresources are available to help.

In eastern Ontario:

Anyone seeking a testshouldbook an appointment. Check with your area's health unit for clinic locations and hours.

Ontariorecommends only getting testedif you have symptoms,if you've been told to by your health unit or the province, orif you fit certain other criteria.

People without symptomsbut who arepart of the province's targeted testing strategycan make an appointment at select pharmacies.

Travellers who need a test have very few local options to pay for one.

In western Quebec:

Tests are strongly recommended for people with symptoms and their contacts.

Outaouais residentscan make an appointment and check wait times online.

Call 1-877-644-4545 with questions, including if walk-in testing is available nearby.

First Nations, Inuit and Mtis:

First Nations, Inuit and Mtispeople, or someone travelling to work in a remote Indigenous community, are eligible for a test in Ontario.

Akwesasne has a COVID-19 test siteby appointment only and a curfew of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

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 reasonsis asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

People inPikwakanagancan book a COVID-19 test by calling 613-625-1175.Anyone inTyendinagawho's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603 and in Kitigan Zibi, 819-449-5593.

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

For more information

• Ottawa Public Health.
• Your Eastern Ontario HealthUnit.
• TheOntario Ministry of Health(in several languages).
• TheCentre intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais.
• ThePublic Health Agency of Canada.