COVID-19 hospitalizations higher than last December, MOH warns
Ottawa's medical officer of health is warning that COVID-19 levels in the community are high and the number of people in hospital because of the disease is higher than it was at this time last year.
In her verbal report to the Board of Health on Monday, Dr. Vera Etches said there is a lot of COVID-19 in the community.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
"Today, we see the wastewater levels of COVID-19 are higher than this time last year and hospitalizations are higher than they were at this time last year," she said.
Data from the Ottawa COVID-19 wastewater surveillance site shows a higher wastewater signal on Nov. 30, 2023 compared to its level on Nov. 30, 2022—the latest data available. OPH's COVID-19 dashboard says the seven-day average for patients in hospital because of COVID-19 was 79 for the week of Nov. 21-27. The average number of hospitalizations for that same period last year was 27, according to data from Open Ottawa.
Etches says older adults remain the most vulnerable population when it comes to COVID-19.
"We are continuing to see the highest rates of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 in older adults—people over 60 and especially over age 80," she said. "A significant number of older adults' immunity against COVID-19 is waning since they've not been infected by the virus and their last vaccine dose was more than six months to a year ago, so many older adults remain at risk."
Etches' comments come as Ottawa Public Health plans to wind down its COVID-19 response, which will include cutting hundreds of temporary workers who were hired during the height of the pandemic. This is mostly due to financial reasons, as the Ontario government is no longer covering extraordinary costs related to COVID-19, but Etches said a decreasing demand for vaccines also means OPH no longer needs additional staff.
"The largest number of that expanded workforce were focused on immunization and we've seen the demand for COVID-19 vaccination has come down, and so we're able to meet that demand in the community now," Etches said Monday.
She encouraged residents, especially older residents, to receive their COVID-19 and flu vaccines this year.
"There is no shortage of updated COVID-19 vaccine, no shortage of influenza vaccines," she said. "The time, if you're over age 60, to protect yourself ahead of the holiday gatherings is now."
COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available through health-care providers, participating pharmacies, and through public health clinics for those eligible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A CBSA strike could soon snarl border traffic. Here’s what you need to know
Just as the summer travel season gets into gear, Canadians and visitors could find themselves waiting in long lines at the border — delays that could also deal a blow to the economy.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Mackenzie Hughes 'gutted' after falling short at RBC Canadian Open
Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.
'The legacy I want to leave:' Mother with Stage 4 cancer advocates for survivors
People around the world are observing National Cancer Survivor Day, an annual celebration held to honour patients who have been through the often difficult and traumatic experience of living with cancer.
Ryan Reynolds has declared 'War of the Popcorn Buckets.' He's honestly onto something
Ryan Reynolds this week unveiled arguably the most anticipated and sure-to-be coveted merchandise tied to his upcoming 'Deadpool' sequel: the movie’s novelty popcorn bucket.
Trump joins TikTok and calls it 'an honor.' As president he once tried to ban the video-sharing app
Donald Trump has joined the popular video-sharing app TikTok, a platform he once tried to ban while in the White House, and posted from a UFC fight two days after he became the first former president and presumptive major party nominee in U.S. history to be found guilty on felony charges.
Ontario gave parents more than $1B in cash over 2 years. Here's where the money went
During the pandemic, the Ontario government started to hand out cash to parents to help offset the cost of at-home learning while schools were shuttered.
North Korea says it will stop sending trash balloons as South Korea vows strong retaliation
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
Motorcycle doing wheelies, weaving in, out of traffic caught on Highway 417
A motorcycle driver is facing charges after being caught on Highway 417 doing wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says.