COVID-19 levels remain high as school year approaches, Ottawa Public Health says
Ottawa Public Health says there are "encouraging" signs about the COVID-19 situation in the capital, but warns COVID-19 levels remain high in the community just weeks before the start of the school year.
Four new deaths linked to COVID-19 have been reported in Ottawa this week, while the number of outbreaks in long-term care homes, retirement homes, hospitals and congregate care settings have increased.
The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa surpassed 80,000 this week. The actual number of cases is far higher due to limits on testing eligibility for residents.
"Our indicators are beginning to decline, & that’s encouraging. But COVID-19 levels remain high in our community," Ottawa Public Health said on Twitter.
"Let's get ahead of the fall & do what we can to minimize impacts."
The health unit is encouraging people to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses, and wants parents and guardians to book a vaccine appointment for children before the start of the school year.
As of Friday, there are 18 Ottawa residents in hospital with an active COVID-19 infection, down from 19 on Tuesday. There is one person in the ICU.
OPH hospitalization figures only represent Ottawa residents who are in hospital because of an active case of COVID-19. Local hospitals report higher figures, which include patients who were admitted for reasons other than COVID-19 but have tested positive and patients who are not from Ottawa.
Here is a look at how many COVID-19 patients are in each hospital:
- The Ottawa Hospital: 81 patients (down from 86 patients on Tuesday)
- Queensway Carleton Hospital: 30 patients (up from 22 patients on Tuesday)
- Montfort Hospital: Seven patients (up from six patients on Tuesday)
- CHEO: Six patients (up from four patients on Tuesday)
Twelve new COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared in the COVID-19.
Ottawa Public Health reported 286 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa since Tuesday.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, there have been 80,037 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa, including 866 deaths.
The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa is considered an underrepresentation of the true amount of COVID-19 in the community due to provincial restrictions on who can access a PCR test.
OTTAWA'S KEY COVID-19 STATISTICS
- COVID-19 cases per 100,000 (Aug. 11 – 17): 47.6 (down from 56.8)
- Seven-day average of positivity rate in the Ottawa community, including long-term care: 13 per cent
- Known active cases: 845 (-46)
COVID-19 VACCINES IN OTTAWA
Updated Aug. 15
- Ottawa residents with 1 dose (5+): 920,347
- Ottawa residents with 2 doses (5+): 886,272
- Ottawa residents with 3 doses (12+): 588,933
- Share of population five and older with at least one dose: 93 per cent
- Share of population five and older fully vaccinated: 89 per cent
- Share of population 12 and older with at least three doses: 64 per cent
*Statistics on Ottawa residents with one or more doses include anyone with an Ottawa postal code who was vaccinated anywhere in Ontario.
AROUND THE REGION
- Eastern Ontario Health Unit: 9 in hospital, 1 in ICU
- Hastings Prince Edward Public Health: 20 in hospital, 1 in ICU (Updated on Tuesdays only)
- Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health: 11 in hospital, 4 in ICU (as of Aug. 16)
- Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit: 6 in hospital, 1 in ICU (Updated on Wednesdays)
- Renfrew County and District Health Unit: 10 in hospital, 0 in ICU
- Outaouais (Gatineau and western Quebec): 100 in hospital, 3 in ICU
COVID-19 OUTBREAKS
Ottawa Public Health is currently reporting active outbreaks in the following locations (as of Friday, Aug. 19):
- 9 long-term care homes
- 22 retirement homes
- 15 hospital units
- 5 other congregate settings (group homes, supported independent living, etc.)
OPH no longer reports outbreaks in schools and childcare settings nor community outbreaks, such as those linked to local businesses, religious institutions, or sports and recreation activities.
A full list of locations with active outbreaks is available on OPH's COVID-19 dashboard.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.