What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Friday, Dec. 10

Recent developments:

• Ottawa reported 106more cases of COVID-19 on Friday.
• The Kingston and Bellevilleareas break more records.
• Ontario is expected to change proof-of-vaccination rules this afternoon.
• COVID-19 infections rise nationallyand omicron could supercharge case counts.

What's the latest?

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported 106 moreCOVID-19 cases on Friday, the first time that daily count has been over 100 since the end of May.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health reported 38 more COVID-19 cases Friday for 203 active cases, both of them local records.

In the Kingston area, COVID-19 cases in general have hit new highs in recent days, with the health unit setting new records for active cases, per capita cases, hospitalizations, ICU patients and outbreaks in its most recentupdate.

• Kingston area omicron case suggests earlier spread in Ontario

Ontario is dropping its tentative plan to end the provincialvaccine passport program in mid-January and will require all proof of vaccination certificates to include QR codes, CBC News has learned.The measures are to be officially announced at 2 p.m. ET.

New modelling released Friday by the Public Health Agency of Canada suggests the number of COVID-19 cases could increase sharply in the coming weeks as the country grapples with another wave of delta infections and the highly transmissible omicron variant.

How many cases are there?

As of Friday,Ottawa has had 32,613confirmedcases ofCOVID-19.

There are 524known active cases, while 31,471cases are consideredresolved and 618people have died from the illness.

Public health officials have reported more than 61,800COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 59,000 cases now resolved. Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 238people with COVID-19 have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 223.

Akwesasnehas had more than 1,200 residents test positive forCOVID-19and has reported14deathsbetween its northern and southern sections.

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territoryhas had 48 cases and one death.Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeghashad 44cases, one death and is in the midst ofan active outbreak.Pikwkanagn hasn't had any cases.

What are the rules?

Eastern Ontario:

The province'svaccine passportisrequired for people age 12 and up in many public places. It won't be required for younger kids.People can prove their vaccine status with a paper document, aPDFfile or aQR code.

There are no capacity restrictionsfor most places that require proof of vaccination,norfor outdoor organized events.

Private gathering limits are25 people inside and 100 people outside.

The reopening plan is pausedas officials monitor some rising trends.

Health officials say people should recommit to the fundamentals of getting vaccinated, testing and staying homewhen sick andlimitingsocial contacts.

• Adapt holiday plans to meet Ottawa's rising COVID-19 risks, says Dr. Etches
• Limit extracurricular activities as COVID-19 cases in schools grow, says Etches

Local officials can change rules for example,Renfrew Countyhas done that for isolation, the Kingston and Belleville areas for school symptomsand the Kingston area for indoor gatheringsand businesses.

Kingston's medical officer of health and Akwesasne's councilare bothasking residents to avoid in-persongatherings.

Quebec urges cautious holiday season amid rising COVID-19 cases

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Quebec health officials pushed for the unvaccinated to get their shots and urged residents to be cautious this holiday season as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Western Quebec

Ten people are allowed to gatherinsidehomes and 20 people outdoors which increases to 50 if playing sports. The indoor gathering limit goes up to 20people on Dec. 23.

There are nocapacity limits for Quebec venues with assigned seats andrestaurants.

WATCH | Quebec cases soar, health minister says it's no reason to panic:

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Access to COVID-19 rapid tests varies across Canada, and as Ontario promises expanded access, experts say the whole country should make the tests more readily available.

A vaccine passportis in place for most people age 13 and up in many publicspaces. It won't apply to younger kids. People can use an app or show paper proof.

Other groups in the region are also coming out with their own COVID-19 vaccine policies, including for staff and visitors.

What can I do?

Prevention

COVID-19primarily spreads through droplets thatcan hang in the air. People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine.

This means it isimportantto take precautionssuch asstaying home while sick and getting help with costs if needed keeping hands and surfaces clean and consideringdistancingfrom anyone you don't live with.

Masks, preferably medical or surgical ones, aremandatory in indoor public settingsin Ontarioand Quebecand recommended in crowded outdoor areas.

When and how long to self-isolatecan vary inQuebecandOntarioand by vaccination status.

Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditionsgethelp with errands and have supplies in case they need to isolate.

Scientists are working to find out how easily the new omicron coronavirus variantspreads, itsseverity andthe performance of vaccines against it.

Travel

Travellers morethan 12 years and four months oldmust nowbe fully vaccinatedto board a plane, train or marine vessel in Canada.

The U.S.requireseveryone crossing aland, air or water border to be fully vaccinated. People flying there will need proof of a negative COVID test within a dayof departure.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents no longer need proof of a test when returning fromtrips to the U.S.under 72 hours.

The hope is that other countries will acceptprovincial or territorial proof of vaccination.

People have to befully vaccinated and pre-approvedto enterCanada. Because of the omicron variant, air travellers from every country except the United States have to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and isolate until they get results.

There are further travel restrictions from a number ofAfrican countries because ofomicron.

Vaccines

Vaccines curb thespreadof all variants of COVID-19 and go a long way toward avoiding deaths and hospitalizations,without offering total protection.

Four COVID-19 vaccines havebeen deemed safe and approvedin Canada, with some age restrictions.

Health Canada hasapproved Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for children as young asfive.Doses for kids age five to 11 will be given at least eight weeks apart in both local provinces.

Ontario's next third shot expansion comes Monday morningforpeople in their 50s and 60s; Quebecexpanded it in early December and plans to lower its age in January.

There have been more than 3.8 million COVID-19 first, second and third vaccine doses administered in the wider Ottawa-Gatineau region,which has about 2.3 million residents.

Eastern Ontario

Peopleborn in 2016 and earlier canlook for provincialappointments onlineor over the phone at 1-833-943-3900.

Local health units have some flexibility,so check their websitesfor details. Many offer child-only clinics anddoses on short notice ascampaigns look tofill gaps in vaccine coverage and cover expandedeligibility.

Pharmacies and some family doctorsoffer vaccines through their own booking systems.

Western Quebec

Anyone who is fiveand oldercan get an appointmentor visitapermanent ormobile walk-in clinic.

Clinics for childrenare in schools andkids will need written consent from a parent to be vaccinated there.

Siblings can be booked together in a single time slotand parents can check a box to signal if their child is nervous.

Symptoms and testing

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

"Long-haul" symptoms can last for months.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911.

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

• Rise in eating disorders seen among Ontario youth during pandemic

In eastern Ontario:

Ontariosays togettested by making an appointmentat a clinic if you fit certain criteria. Check with yourhealth unit for clinic locations and hours.

Select pharmaciestest people with symptoms, along with certain people without symptoms.

Rapid and take-home testsare available in some places,including pharmacies andsome child-care settings when risk is high. A positive test will trigger a follow-up.

Travellers who need a testhavelocal options to pay for one.

In western Quebec:

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

People can make an appointment or see if they're near awalk-in optiononline. They can also call 1-877-644-4545 with questions during hours the line is running.

Gargle tests areoffered in some places instead of a swab.

Rapid COVID-19 tests are available in all Quebec daycares,preschools and elementary schools. Next week school-age kids in the region will be getting rapid tests kitsthey can take at home.

WATCH |Canada 'grossly underutilizing' rapid tests, experts warn:

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.

People in Kitigan ZibiAnishinabeg can call the health centre at 819-449-5593 for a test or vaccine; email is another option for vaccine booking.

Tests are available inPikwkanagnby calling613-625-1175 and vaccines (including third doses)at 613-625-2259 extension 225 or by email.

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.