What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 23

Recent developments:

• Ottawa reports 466 cases of COVID-19 Thursday, a record high.
• Experts say Omicron hospitalizations will come when the variant reaches more vulnerable populations.
• Ottawa Public Health outlines new self-isolation requirementsfrom the province.
• Some Ottawa businesses welcome, some criticize new federal and provincial support.
• Quebec brings in new gathering limits starting Boxing Day.

What's the latest

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported 466 cases on Thursday, a new record.

It's been nearly a month sinceCanada's first COVID-19 case involving the Omicron variantwas confirmed in Ottawa, and while local case numbers have since shot up, hospitalizations remain relatively stable.

New waves typically start in younger folks before spreading out to other groups, Dr. Doug Manuel Manuel told CBC in an email. Omicron-related hospitalizations will start to show up when middle-aged, older and unvaccinated Canadiansstart to be infected in larger numbers,he said.

Quebec Premier Franois Legault has announced that as of Dec. 26, indoor gatherings in the province will be limited to six people or two family bubbles in an effort to slow the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant and limit hospital admissions.

Many Ottawasmall businesses are welcomingthe new federal and provincial support programs announced Wednesday, but some say the programsaren't inclusive enough,failto provide adequatesupport or are unfairly enforced.

In a matter of weeks rapid tests went from something you couldn't pay someone to take according to Ontario Premier Doug Ford to the hottest holiday find. Here's how and when to use them.

How many cases are there?

Testing has recently fallen behind the demand caused by Omicron, meaning some people with COVID-19won't be reflected in the case count as quickly. Hospitalizations and the wastewater levels can help fill in some of the grey areas.

As of Thursday,Ottawa has had 35,786 confirmedcases ofCOVID-19.

There are 2,783 known active cases, while 32,383 cases are consideredresolved and 620 people have died from the illness.

Local public health officials have reported more than 69,600COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than62,200cases now resolved. Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 244people with COVID-19 have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 223.

Akwesasnehas had more than1,250 residents test positive forCOVID-19and has reported18deathsbetween its northern and southern sections.

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territoryhas had 61cases four confirmed as Omicron and one death.Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeghashad 52 cases andone death.Pikwkanagn hasn't had any cases.

What are the rules?

Eastern Ontario:

The province's private gathering limits under the threat of Omicronare 10 people indoors and 25 outside; businesses canreach50 per cent capacity. Up to 10 peopleare allowed per table at a restaurant or bar.

Local officials can also introduce their own rulesand that's happened in Ottawa,Renfrew County, the Belleville areaand theKingston area.

Health units for the Belleville, Kingston and Leeds,Grenville and Lanark areasareasking residents to avoid in-persongatherings, as are councils forAkwesasne, Kitigan ZibiAnishinabegand Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

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. These documents have to have a QR code as of Jan. 4 and medical exemptions have to have one by Jan. 10.

Western Quebec

Ten people are allowed to gatherinsidehomes and 20 people outdoors.

Schools, bars, gyms, spas and movie theatres are closed. Places of worship andrestaurants are restricted to 50 per cent capacity. Restaurants can only open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and no singing or dancing are allowed.

Schools are closed to in-person learning until at least Jan. 10.

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.

Scientists are working to find out more aboutthe very fast spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, itsseverity andthe performance of vaccines against it.

• Omicron is blurring true picture of COVID-19 cases. There are other ways to capture it

Health officials say people should recommit to the fundamentals of getting vaccinated, staying homewhen sick, getting tested if local circumstances allow and seeing as few people in person as possible.

Masks, preferably medicalones, aremandatory in indoor public settingsin Ontarioand Quebecand recommended in crowded outdoor areas.

When and how long to self-isolatecan vary by community, by testing availability, bythe type of exposureand 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.

Travel

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

The federal government is officially advising against non-essential international travel until at least Jan. 12.

People have to befully vaccinated and pre-approvedto enterCanada andagain have to test negative for COVID-19.

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.

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

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. Both local provinces generally recommend doses for kids age five to 11 be given at least eight weeks apart, with limited exceptions.

Everyone 18 and older in Ontario can now try tobook thirdshots, though local resources don't always meet demand.The province has also shortenedthe interval required between second and third dosesto 84 days.

People who are 65 and older can receive a third dose in Quebec, while those 60 and older with certainhealth conditions are alsoeligible. Everyone else60 and older will be able to get a third dose as of Monday.

There have been more than 4.1million 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.

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.

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 some have had to triage given current demand.

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

Rapid and take-home testsare available in malls, libraries and LCBOs(when supplies allow),Kingston-area family doctor offices,andsome child-care settings when risk is high. Students get a pack of test kits for the holiday break.

• Expect to wait longer to book a COVID-19 test, Ontario's top doctor warns
• Locations so far of the province's holiday rapid testing blitz

A positive rapid 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.

Maniwaki's test site is relocating to57 route 105 as of today.

Gargle tests areoffered in some places instead of a swab.

Rapid COVID-19 tests are available in all Quebec daycares,preschools and elementary schools, as well asthrough pharmaciesfor the general population.

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.