Levels of respiratory viruses circulating in Ottawa 'remain high', Ottawa Public Health warns
Ottawa Public Health warns the levels of respiratory viruses circulating in the community "remain high" heading into the first weekend of December.
In its weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshot, OPH says the wastewater viral signals show "moderate" levels of RSV and COVID-19, while the influenza levels are "high".
"If we only looked at COVID-19 levels, we'd see the overall trends with our COVID-19 monitoring indicators are down compared to a month ago," OPH said on Twitter. "So just focusing on COVID-19 levels could make you think the overall levels of risk are lower than before.
"Our friends at CHEO have seen significant volumes of other respiratory viruses, like flu & RSV. And those viruses do have an impact on the levels of risk as a community, including our health system."
With the levels of respiratory viruses circulating in Ottawa remaining high, OPH reminds people to wear masks and stay home if you are sick to help limit the spread of viruses.
Two more Ottawa residents have died due to COVID-19 this week.
In its twice weekly COVID-19 report, Ottawa Public Health reports 154 new cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa since Tuesday, and two new deaths.
There are 17 Ottawa residents in hospital because of an active COVID-19 infection, down from 18 on Tuesday. There are four people 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.
- The Ottawa Hospital: 80 patients
- Queensway Carleton Hospital: 19 patients
- Montfort Hospital: 9 patients
- CHEO: Two patients
Since the first case of COVID-19 in Ottawa in March 2020, there have been 86,525 total cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa, including 970 deaths.
OTTAWA'S KEY COVID-19 STATISTICS
- COVID-19 cases per 100,000 (Nov. 21-27): 21.2
- Seven-day average of positivity rate in the Ottawa community, including long-term care: 9.8 per cent
- Known active cases: 322
COVID-19 VACCINES IN OTTAWA
Updated Nov. 28.
- Ottawa residents with 1 dose (5+): 923,947
- Ottawa residents with 2 doses (5+): 891,044
- Ottawa residents with 3 doses (5+): 609,247
- Ottawa residents with 4 doses (12+): 302,417
- Share of population five and older with at least one dose: 93 per cent
- Share of population five and older with at least two doses: 90 per cent
- Share of population five and older with at least three doses: 61 per cent
- Share of population 12 and older with at least four doses: 33 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: 4 in hospital, 0 in ICU
- Hastings Prince Edward Public Health: 2 in hospital, 0 in ICU (Updated on Tuesdays only)
- Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health: 17 in hospital, 6 in ICU (Updated on Tuesdays only)
- Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit: 12 in hospital, 0 in ICU (Updated on Tuesdays)
- Renfrew County and District Health Unit: 1 in hospital, 0 in ICU (Updated on Thursdays)
- Outaouais (Gatineau and western Quebec): 93 in hospital, 1 in ICU
COVID-19 OUTBREAKS
Ottawa Public Health is currently reporting active outbreaks in the following locations
- 9 in hospitals
- 4 in long-term care homes
- 5 in retirement homes
- 1 in group homes
A full list of locations with active outbreaks is available on OPH's COVID-19 outbreak dashboard.
INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS
- 1 in a hospital
- 1 in a retirement home
A full list of locations with active outbreaks is available on OPH's outbreak dashboard.
OTHER ONGOING RESPIRATORY OUTBREAKS
- 1 in a group home
- 22 in licensed child care settings
- 2 in long-term care homes
- 18 in schools
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.