Even fully vaccinated should be tested if symptomatic, says OPH

Ottawa's public health authority says an uptick in COVID-19 cases since Ontario's Step 3 reopening is expected, but is urging people not to let up on testing and safety measures even if they're fully vaccinated.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is encouragingOttawanswith their first and second dosesto get tested for COVID-19 if they develop symptoms of the respiratory illness.

"We are seeing in the last few daysmore cases, more people who are testing positive for COVID than we haveinrecent weeks," said Brent Moloughney, deputy medical officer of health for OPH.

"On the one hand, we sort of anticipate that because as things reopen and people interact more, there's more opportunities for the virus to transmit. And the reality is: the pandemic is not over."

The recommendation comes askey COVID-19 measures are rising across Ottawa. The R(t) or number of people infected by a single COVID-19 case has been above onefor much of the week.Thespread of the coronavirusis considered under control if that figure is kept below one.

However, Moloughney said theproportion of COVID-19 tests comingback positive is low, andwastewater testing does not give cause for alarm.

OPH is still recommending anyone with COVID-19symptoms get tested.The purpose of the vaccines, said Moloughney, is to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death.

"It's still possible to be become infected; it's still possible to have symptoms; and still possible to transmit to others,"he said.

The pandemic is not over: Ottawa Public Health urges caution as city reopens

3 years ago

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Dr. Brent Moloughney, Ottawas associate medical officer of health, says cases are rising at a higher rate than in previous weeks as businesses reopen and residents interact more.

Vaccinationsignificantlyreduces the risk of contracting the disease, but doesn'teliminate it. With people expanding their social circles under looser Step 3 restrictions,Moloughney stressed the importance of getting vaccinated.

Vaccination rates across age groups are uneven, and experts are noticing lower vaccination rates among young people aged 18 to 29.

OPH said it's trying to improve vaccine uptakeby expanding access through initiatives like mobile clinics. Thehealth authority istaking requests from workplaces, places of worship and community settings that want amobile clinic sentto that site.