Health officials encourage vaccination ahead of fall respiratory season
Ottawa's top doctor is reminding residents that COVID-19 is still present in the community ahead of back-to-school, and is urging people to stay home when they are sick and consider wearing a mask to help reduce the spread of viruses this fall.
Ottawa Public Health says there has been an increase in the level of COVID-19 circulating in Ottawa this summer, and a spike in hospitalizations and outbreaks in long-term care homes linked to COVID-19.
Medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches says Ottawa is heading into the "respiratory illness season," with COVID-19, RSV and influenza expected to circulate in the community.
"One of those three viruses is here right now still: COVID-19, it's growing," Dr. Etches said during an interview on CTV Morning Live.
"In August, we have seen not only the wastewater results, but hospitalizations and outbreaks in long-term care and even deaths are starting to go up again. What we can do about it is be aware and adjust our behaviour to the level of risk."
Dr. Etches says it is important for children to return to class this fall, but one of the layers of protection for the community is keeping kids home when they're sick.
"Staying home when we're sick, that makes a difference. That can definitely help with slowing the spread in the community," Etches said.
In a matter of days, tens of thousands of schoolchildren will be back in their classrooms in Ottawa as the new school year begins for English language school boards.
Among them will be Farrel Holoshka, who is attending his first day of school.
"We just did his tour a couple days ago," said mom Harjit Kaur. "He's really excited because it’s a big school it’s not a childcare anymore."
Part of many families' back to school errands includes a trip to the immunization clinic. For Kaur and Holoshka, it's at Sir Wilfred Laurier Secondary School in Orléans.
Public health agencies across the country like Ottawa Public Health are playing catch-up by running vaccine programs over the summer. Immunizations against Hepatitis B, meningitis, and HPV are generally offered in schools, but pandemic shutdowns disrupted schedules and many kids fell behind on their shots.
"We got three of his vaccinations today," Kaur said.
With another item crossed off the list, Holoshka's parents are confident going into the start of the school year, especially as cold and flu season quickly approaches.
"I've seen what this child does. He will lick elevator handles," said dad Stephen Holoshka. "I assume other people's kids do this and if you're sticking them all together, oh my God, they need some kind of extra protection here."
Ottawa's wastewater surveillance shows "moderate levels" of COVID-19 in Ottawa this week, while RSV and influenza levels are low. The Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 dashboard shows there are 22 ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Ottawa's hospitals, long-term care homes and retirement homes.
Ottawa Public Health says while COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, "It's still out there."
"We know it feels like we've been saying this for years, but layers work," the health unit said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
"Properly fitted masks work. Staying home when sick works. Getting vaccinated works. Your layers help protect you from COVID-19 (and other respiratory viruses, btw)."
An updated COVID-19 booster is expected in the next few weeks, recommended for those deemed high risk and will be available at local pharmacies.
"We should be expected to be getting the new vaccines within the next week or two... Mid September," said Andrew Hanna, the owner and compounding pharmacist at Pharmasave Avalon Compounding Pharmacy.
Etches says Ottawa Public Health and school boards are working to make schools "mask friendly and respect the choices that people are making."
"There are reasons to wear masks; masks work," Etches said about helping to "slow down the amount of virus" in the community.
"People will be wearing them to protect themselves from illness, and also people will be wearing them to protect loved ones or people who are at higher risk of illness."
Etches says people in the high-risk groups, including immunocompromised people and pregnant women, should receive a COVID-19 booster six months after their last dose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump delivers rambling response to his hush money conviction
A day after a New York jury delivered a historic guilty verdict in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a press conference Friday where he spoke publicly about the conviction and his White House bid.
Mediterranean diet helps women live much longer, a large new study finds
Women who closely followed a Mediterranean diet lived much longer than those who did not, according to a new study that followed more than 25,000 women for 25 years.
How did Ontario's bankrupt 'Crypto King' travel the world on Scene+ points?
Newly released documents suggest Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ paid for months of world travels with $13,000 worth of Scene+ points while bankrupt – but how?
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Solutions coming for piled-up bodies outside Newfoundland hospital
Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador say they are only weeks away from a solution to move unclaimed human remains out of roadside freezers and into a nearby hospital.
Actor Nick Pasqual charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing estranged girlfriend
An actor who has appeared in film and TV projects like 'Rebel Moon' and 'How I Met Your Mother' has been arrested and charged with stabbing his estranged girlfriend multiple times.
'Unprecedented': Human smuggling from B.C. to U.S. soars, using train, Uber and foot
American prosecutors and law enforcement officers say they're dealing with a huge increase in human smuggling from British Columbia.
The northern lights are returning to night skies across Canada this Friday
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
Incendiary device thrown at Vancouver synagogue, Jewish Federation says
An incendiary device was thrown at a Vancouver synagogue Thursday night, leading to increased police presence at local institutions, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver says.