What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Thursday, Aug. 19

Recent developments:

• Unvaccinated people are about 20 times more likely to get COVID-19 in Ottawa than fully vaccinated individuals, officials say.
• OPH says COVID-19 testing centres won't be crowded when schools return.
• Ottawa reports 19 more COVID-19 cases Thursday.

What's the latest?

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches warnsthe delta variant of COVID-19 is driving a resurgence of newcases in Ottawa, including 60 per cent of people who tested positive over the past month.

Etches says the risk of contracting COVID-19 is about 20 times higher among unvaccinated people than it is among vaccinated individuals.

Of the 168 Ottawa residents who tested positive for the virus between July 4 and Aug. 7, 112 were unvaccinated, 6 had received one dose but were not fully protected, 36 had received one dose, and14 were fully vaccinated, according to Ottawa Public Health (OPH) data.

Despite the uptick in cases, Etches said hospitalizations and outbreaks remain low and OPH is working to decrease barriers to vaccination, encouraging people to continue wearing masks, maintainingphysical distancing,and limiting theirclose contacts.

She added extra laboratory capacity and take-home tests should help avoid last year'slong testing lines when students go back to class.

OPH reports 19 more COVID-19 cases Thursday.

How many cases are there?

As of Thursday, 28,049Ottawa residents havetested positive for COVID-19.There are 128known active cases, 27,329 cases consideredresolved, and 593 people who have died from the illness.

Public health officials have reported more than 50,900 COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 49,600 cases now resolved.

Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 199 people have died with COVID-19. In western Quebec, the death toll is 215.

Akwesasnehas had more than725residents test positive with COVID-19, and has reported10 deathsbetween its northern and southern sections.

Kitigan Zibi has had 34 cases and one death. Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has had 13, with one death. Pikwakanagan hasn't had any.

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

What are the rules?

Eastern Ontario:

Ontario is inStep 3 of its reopening plan. It will stay there for the foreseeable future.

The plan allowsindoor dining, with capacity limits based ondistancing. Gyms,movie theatres and museumscan reach acapacity of 50 per cent inside.

Larger general gathering limits are 25 people inside and 100 people outside. Those limits are even higher for organized events,leading to the resumption of summer festivals and professional sports.

Ontario's back-to-school planallows forextracurricular activities, and while masks remainmandatory, vaccines are not.

Western Quebec

Western Quebec is now undergreen zone restrictions, the lowest on the province'sfour-colour scale.

The physical distancinglength in the provincehas been reduced toone metre.

Ten people are allowed to gatherinside private residences and 20 people outdoors which increases to 50 if playing sports.

Events where people remain seated in designated spaces, like bleachers or stands,can now welcome up to 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.

Stadiums, venues and festivals can welcome15,000 spectators outdoors and 7,500 people indoors.

Thisprovince's school plansdon't includeclassroom bubbles or masks in class.

The province will introducea vaccine passportSept. 1 for spaces such aspublic events, bars, restaurants and gyms.

What can I do?

COVID-19primarily spreads through droplets thatcan hang in the air.

People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine. Variants of concernaremore contagious and areestablished.

• Why it's now more likely you'll face coronavirus even if you're vaccinated against COVID-19

This means it isimportantto take precautions now and in the future, such asstaying 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.

Vaccines curb thespreadof all variants of COVID-19.

Masks, preferably ones that fit snugly and havethree layers, aremandatory in indoor public settingsin Ontarioand Quebecand recommended in crowded outdoor areas.

There'sfederal guidance for what vaccinated people can do in different situations.

Fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residentscan nowskip the 14-day quarantinewhen travelling back to Canada. Peoplehaveto show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter Canada by land without a fine.

Fully vaccinated Americanscanvisit Canada without having to quarantine, while tourists from all other countries are set to be allowed as of Sept. 7. The U.S. border remains closed to non-essential travel until at least Saturday.

Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditionsgethelp 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 length of self-isolation varies inQuebecandOntario.

Vaccines

Four COVID-19 vaccines havebeen deemed safe and approvedin Canada. Three are in use, with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine the only one approved for youthborn as late as 2009.

Canada's vaccinetask force sayspeople can wait up to 16 weeks between doses. Factors pushed provinces to drastically speed up that timeline, including supply and the more infectious delta variant.

That same task force says it's safe and effective to mix first and second doses.

There have been more than 3.2million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the wider Ottawa-Gatineau region combined first and second doses which has about 2.3 million residents.

Eastern Ontario

Ontario isvaccinating anyone who will beage12 or older in 2021. It will offer third booster shots tocertain vulnerable groups.

Peoplecanlook for provincialappointments opening uponlineor over the phone at 1-833-943-3900. Pharmacies continue to offer vaccines through their own booking systems, as do some family doctors.

Local health units haveflexibilityin the larger framework, including around booking,so check their websitesfor details. They offer standby lists and walk-indoses on short notice.

Campaigns are shiftingaway from mass clinics to mobile clinics to target those who haven't yet received those first dose, or can now get their second shot.

Western Quebec

Quebec isvaccinating anyone 12 and older. Its goal is to provide second doses four weeks after the first.

People who qualify can make an appointment online or over the phoneor visit one of the province'spermanent and mobile walk-in clinics.

Symptoms and testing

COVID-19can range from a cold-like illnessto a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, vomitingand loss of taste or smell. Recently, a runny nose and headache have become more common.

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 testshouldmake an appointment. Check with yourhealth unit for clinic locations and hours.

Ontariorecommends only getting testedif you fit certain criteria, such as having symptoms, exposure or a certain job.

People without symptomsbut who arepart of the province's targeted testing strategycan make an appointment at select pharmacies. Rapid testsare available in some places.

Travellers who need a testhave a fewlocal options to pay for one. Those options now include Ottawa's Brewer Arena.

In western Quebec:

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

People can make an appointment and check wait times online. Some walk-in testing is available.

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 COVID-19 test andvaccine clinics, with information online or at613-575-2341.Anyone inTyendinagawho's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603 and should watch the website fordedicated vaccine clinics.

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.