COVID-19 levels still high in Ottawa, top doctor warns
Ottawa's top doctor warns that COVID-19 transmission rates are still high in the community, and people should still try to limit close contacts, wear a mask in indoor settings and be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations to limit your risks during this warm spring weather.
"That wastewater indicator tells us we still have more COVID-19 in the community than we did in January, which was very high," medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa at Work with Leslie Roberts.
"We are still asking people to be mindful of their risk and take those steps we know make a difference to reduce your risk of severe illness."
Ottawa Public Health reported levels of COVID-19 remain high in the community this week, while hospitalizations are stable.
"Overall, we are encouraged that the different things we measure like wastewater and outbreaks that are occurring, they're showing signs of improvement but the levels are still high," Etches said Thursday.
"I think that probably resonates with people, because people are still getting sick. So fortunately, we do have these layers of protection, the vaccination that's keeping people out of hospital."
The health unit says you can lower your risk of contracting COVID-19 by socializing outdoors this spring, and wearing a mask when in indoor and/or crowded places.
Roberts asked Etches if she has adjusted her position of wearing a mask in indoor, public places.
"Not at this point because of what I say is in terms of still seeing that high level. It still does mean that when you are indoors with a lot of people and there aren't masks you have a higher likelihood of being exposed to COVID," Etches said.
"We know that people are doing their own risk assessment; so individuals who recently had COVID feel that they are younger, they are not at risk of severe illness, they're maybe not as often choosing to wear masks."
The medical officers of health for the Niagara Region, Peterborough and Windsor-Essex sent a letter to Ontario's chief medical officer of health last week, asking the province to reinstate mask mandates for schools and indoor public settings.
Ottawa Public Health told CTVNewsOttawa.ca this week that it's "supportive of measures that can be taken to increase mask use during the resurgence, including policies in specific buildings, workplaces and community settings, including schools and child care."
OPH says it has no plans to introduce any local measures to require masks in schools at this time.
Ottawa Public Health continues to "highly recommend" residents practice these measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:
- Wearing a mask
- Avoiding crowded areas
- Limit close contacts
- Being up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations, especially third doses, and fourth doses for immunocompromised people and those aged 60 plus
- Staying home if you’re not feeling well
- Awareness of the need to access antiviral treatment early in the course of infection, for those at higher risk
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.