Coronavirus in Ottawa | COVID-19

Ottawa Public Health reporting a rise in COVID-19 levels in the community

The city of Ottawa is seeing a slight increase in COVID-19 related hospitalizations, as the health unit warns of a rise in COVID-19 levels in the community.

People shop in The Glebe neighbourhood of Ottawa on Friday, June 24, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Ottawa pastor has medical exemption rejected by U.S. border agents

Pastor Mike Croteau has an autoimmune disorder that gives him an exemption from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Croteau says his exemption was rejected when he tried to cross into the United States in May.

Ottawa pastor Mike Croteau with his wife Trish and children. (Photo courtesy: Mike Croteau)

COVID-19 spread increasing in Ottawa, but hospitalizations stable

Ottawa COVID-19 hospitalizations remained steady over the weekend, but the city's medical officer of health is warning that levels of the virus in the community are rising.

People walk down a busy street wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Yoav Aziz on Unsplash)

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Variants of Concern

EU agency sees risk of COVID deaths rising as Omicron subvariants spread

Two new subvariants of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5, are spreading more quickly than other coronavirus variants in Europe, which could lead to more hospitalizations and deaths as they become dominant, the EU's disease prevention agency said on Monday.

A man carries a cycling helmet as he walks by EU flags outside EU headquarters in Brussels on Oct. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

COVID-19 antibody treatments aren't as effective on variants. Here's why

A new study has found that COVID-19 antibody treatments aren't as effective for new variants due to the evolving mutations of the differing virus strains.

FILE - In this Thursday, July 23, 2020 file photo, a biomedical engineering graduate student handles a swab and specimen vial in a COVID-19 on-campus testing lab in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

WHO: COVID cases and deaths falling nearly everywhere

The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally fell everywhere except the Middle East and Southeast Asia last week, according to a World Health Organization weekly report released Wednesday.

A woman gets a throat swab at a mobile coronavirus testing facility near a construction site in Beijing, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. People are required a negative COVID test result in the last 72 hours to enter some buildings and use public transportation. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Moderna says updated COVID shot boosts Omicron protection

Moderna's experimental COVID-19 vaccine that combines its original shot with protection against the omicron variant appears to work, the company announced Wednesday.

Dominant coronavirus mutant contains ghost of pandemic past

The coronavirus mutant that is now dominant in the United States is a member of the omicron family but scientists say it spreads faster than its Omicron predecessors, is adept at escaping immunity and might possibly cause more serious disease.

COVID-19 identified by trained dogs sniffing skin swabs: study

A new study that brought sniffer dogs to an airport to search for COVID-19 has found that dogs may be able to detect the virus with high accuracy just from smelling skin swabs.

Do COVID-19 rapid tests work on Omicron?

A recent study revealed that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests may be less sensitive to newer variants, leaving some to wonder just how accurate these tests actually are. Experts share how to get the most accurate results when testing for the virus.

China's COVID plan is 'unsustainable' due to Omicron: WHO

The head of the World Health Organization said China's extreme approach to containing the coronavirus is unsustainable because of the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant, but that it's up to every country to decide what policy to pursue.

INTERACTIVES

Re-opening Canada

Vaccine mandates for domestic travel, outgoing international flights to be suspended

The federal government will announce that COVID-19 vaccine mandates for domestic travel on planes and trains, as well as outgoing international travel, will be suspended, senior government sources have told CTV News.

People wait in line to check in at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, May 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Alberta to end pandemic rules including mandatory isolation

All remaining COVID-19 public health restrictions in Alberta will be lifted Tuesday at 11:59 p.m., including mandatory isolation requirements.

A man wears a face mask as he looks at a sign illustrating COVID-19 preventative measures in Montreal, April 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

'Great step forward': Travel industry applauds suspension of random COVID-19 testing at airports

The federal government has announced that it will be temporarily suspending mandatory random COVID-19 testing at Canadian airports for vaccinated travellers beginning June 11, before moving randomized testing off-site as of July 1.

CTVNews.ca Coronavirus Coverage

From closures to near-normal routines, students look back on COVID-warped school year

The final bell is about to ring at the end of a topsy-turvy school year warped by the COVID-19 crisis and students are reflecting on how the pandemic shaped things.

Students in an elementary school get ready for class as Quebec students get back to school in Montreal on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

People with COVID-19 can infect and sicken cats and dogs by cuddling them: study

Cat and dog owners who cuddle their pets when infected with COVID-19 could end up making the animals sick with the virus, according to a Canadian study.

Pfizer says tweaked COVID-19 shots boost Omicron protection

Pfizer announced Saturday that tweaking its COVID-19 vaccine to better target the Omicron variant is safe and works -- just days before regulators debate whether to offer Americans updated booster shots this fall.

Women have a higher chance of developing long COVID than men, study finds

New research has found that women are 'significantly' more likely than men to suffer from long COVID syndrome, in addition to developing different symptoms of the disease.

COVID-19 vaccines saved 20M lives in 1st year, scientists say

Nearly 20 million lives were saved by COVID-19 vaccines during their first year, but even more deaths could have been prevented if international targets for the shots had been reached, researchers reported Thursday.

How COVID-19 Affects Me

Canada's COVID Alert app will be discontinued as PCR testing becomes rare

Canada's COVID Alert app will be discontinued in the coming days, a federal government source tells The Canadian Press.

The COVID Alert app is seen on an iPhone in Ottawa, on Friday, July 31, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Vaccines likely to reduce risk of long COVID, experts say, but by how much?

As more details emerge about the long-term effects of COVID-19, experts say vaccination is likely to have protective benefits against long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection. But an important question that has yet to be answered is exactly how much protection it offers.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may pose higher heart inflammation risk: CDC

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine may pose a higher risk of heart inflammation in some age groups than Pfizer-BioNTech's shot, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday, citing recent data.

Prenatal COVID exposure affects babies' motor skills, speech, studies find

Infants born to those who tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy may have neurodevelopmental issues after birth, according to preliminary findings from two separate studies out of the U.S. and Spain.

Is there any benefit to wearing a mask when nobody else is?

A province-wide mask mandate that was first introduced in October 2020 has now been lifted in virtually all of the so-called “high-risk” settings where it had remained in place, including on public transit.

Your Finances During the Crisis

Almost half of Canadians are doing worse financially than the previous year: survey

As inflation rates soar to the highest they've been in Canada in nearly forty years, nearly half of Canadians say that right now, they're doing worse financially than they were at this time last year.

Gas prices are displayed in Carleton Place, Ontario on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Here's how to save on your next grocery order, according to Canadian couponers

As Canada’s inflation soars, two ‘extreme couponers’ offer their advice on how to save at the grocery store.

4 things Canadians can do to save money on their groceries during inflation

With Statistics Canada reporting a 9.7 per cent increase in food costs over the last year, Canadians are being pushed to find ways to pinch pennies at the grocery stores. Here are some ways to save.

Is it time for a 'gas tax holiday' in Canada?

As fuel prices reach record highs and drive inflation, there have been growing calls for governments to temporarily suspend or reduce gas taxes. CTVNews.ca spoke with experts on whether a gas tax holiday makes sense in Canada.

Canada's inflation nears 40-year high as gas prices soar

Soaring gas prices helped the annual inflation rate in May soar to its highest level in nearly 40 years, as the rising cost of living for Canadians squeezed household budgets and bolstered expectations the Bank of Canada will opt for a supersized interest rate hike next month.

CTV News Ottawa Top Stories

Ottawa wards with the highest and lowest crime rates

There were approximately 36,260 reported Criminal Code of Canada offences in Ottawa in 2021, up eight per cent from 2020. Police reported 7,116 violent crimes and 29,146 non-violent crimes in Ottawa last year.

Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. is seen in this undated photo. (CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa police clock driver going 119 km/h on King Edward Avenue

A driver going 69 km/h over the speed limit on King Edward Avenue was one of five motorists charged with stunt driving on Ottawa roads this weekend.

Major police response expected for Canada Day and city officials testify at LRT inquiry: Five stories to watch in Ottawa this week

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at five stories to watch in Ottawa this week.

A Canadian flag flies by Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, March 13, 2020. Indigenous and other racialized Canadians have been shaping the country's history and culture for centuries, but a new poll suggests most Canadians have a lot to learn about most of them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Minor injuries in Highway 417 crash allegedly caused by impaired driver

Ontario Provincial Police say minor injuries have been reported after a driver struck another vehicle on Highway 417 Saturday, causing it to roll.

What you need to know about Canada Day events in Ottawa

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the Canada Day activities across the city of Ottawa, including at the new location at LeBreton Flats.

Ottawa comes to life for a weekend of festivals

The summer festival season in Ottawa kicked off this weekend with thousands gathering for events across the city.

Hot and humid, but watch out for a possible storm

It's going to be another hot, humid day in Ottawa, which could lead to some unsettled weather later in the day.

Here's a list of Canada Day events across eastern Ontario

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at events happening across eastern Ontario on Canada Day.

OC Transpo rolls out new summer schedule

OC Transpo rolls out its new summer schedule today, which includes service adjustments to accommodate the closures of two sections of the Transitway in Ottawa's west end.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Russia strikes Kyiv as Western leaders meet in Europe

Russia shattered weeks of relative calm in the Ukrainian capital with long-range missiles fired toward Kyiv early Sunday, an apparent Kremlin show-of-force as Western leaders meet in Europe to strengthen their military and economic support of Ukraine.

Firefighters work at the scene at a residential building following explosions, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 26, 2022. Several explosions rocked the west of the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Sunday morning, with at least two residential buildings struck, according to Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

Trudeau mocks 'bare-chested horseback riding' Putin as G7 leaders meet in Germany

Russian President Valdimir Putin was a target of mockery by leaders of the Group of Seven, as they sat around a table Sunday, commencing their three-day summit in Bavarian Alps, Germany.

U.S. Ambassador Cohen on inflation, the convoy protests, abortion rights and gun control

David Cohen has been the United States' Ambassador to Canada since November 2021, and in the time since, both Canada and the United States have experienced a series of shared challenges. In an interview at his official residence in Ottawa, Cohen opens up about the state of the relationship.

Climate goals may be at odds with G7 response to fallout from Russian invasion

G7 leaders opened their summit Sunday with a discussion about shaping the global economy at a time when conflict and unrest are driving up prices and access to key goods around the world.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'turning point' in world history: defence chief

Canada's chief of defence says Russia's invasion of Ukraine is going to change the course of history.

CTV News Video Network

'We'll show them our pecs': G7 leaders mock Putin

Justin Trudeau and Boris Johnson were heard mocking Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Germany.

AOC: U.S. Supreme Court abortion ruling a 'hostile takeover'

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez believes that it's an impeachable offence for U.S. Supreme Court justices to have lied during confirmation hearings.

Nanos: 'Economic health' a key concern for Canadians

Pollster Nik Nanos breaks down new polling data, which shows support for the Conservative Party growing as concerns about the economy grow.

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