Ottawa doctor suggests current COVID-19 isolation guidelines unsustainable
An Ottawa epidemiologist is pushing for a change of policy for isolation and testing requirements as public health struggles to keep up with demand for COVID-19 testing.
The surging Omicron variant is also pushing businesses to the brink over concerns of spread and access to testing.
"Out of serious concerns for not only our customers, but our staff, our family, we've made this decision to close that front door," said Nick Milito, owner of Bella's Boys Italian Kitchen.
The restaurant has decided to close its doors to indoor dining, offering only curbside pick up for now.
Milito says rising COVID-19 cases are causing concern about community spread, and lack of access to testing for staff and family.
"You know two, three, four get hit with this variant and it's going to have a serious impact," he said.
On Monday, the Chateau Lafayette also announced on social media it was closing indefinitely due to a shortage of staff.
"It finally happened: we have run out of staff," a post on the popular pub's Instagram account said. "We aren’t sure when we will reopen yet, but we will keep you posted. Stay healthy and safe out there!"
Ottawa epidemiologist, Dr. Raywat Deonandan says the current provincial guidelines requiring 10 days of isolation aren't sustainable.
"We will get to the point where exposures are happening so commonly that we can't keep people at home if they're asymptomatic," Deonandan said.
As Canada hits two million confirmed COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, and Omicron rages on, Deonandan says it's time to reassess policies around testing and isolation.
"I'm not saying blow the doors wide open. I'm not saying throw caution to the wind. I'm not saying keep everything open," he said. "I'm saying reassess isolation protocols to keep society running. So many people are going to have to be isolated we have to rethink this. It's probably not tenable."
He suggests greater use of rapid tests or a shorter isolation period for asymptomatic high-risk contacts.
His comments come as U.S. health officials cut isolation and quarantine timelines from 10 days to five. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that Americans who have no COVID-19 symptoms after five days of isolation should be able to leave their homes, so long as they wear a mask when around others.
The CDC said the guidance comes amid growing evidence that people with the virus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.
Other doctors, such as infectious disease physician Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, also called for a shortening of isolation guidelines in Canada Monday.
"This needs to be done here pronto for essential workplaces," Chakrabarti said on Twitter. "Current quarantine duration is way too long and not supported by evidence (not to mention extremely impractical)."
In Ottawa, public health has warned access to PCR testing is limited.
Three pop-up testing sites will be handing out rapid test this week:
Thursday
- Walter Baker Recreation Centre at 100 Malvern Drive – 7 a.m.
- St. Laurent Shopping Centre on St. Laurent Boulevard – 8 a.m. (new time)
Friday
- Walter Baker Recreation Centre at 100 Malvern Drive – 7 a.m.
"Vaccination has changed the conversation substantially," Deonandan said. "Because of the rates of vaccination, the assault on the healthcare system is not nearly as bad as it would've been."
In Ottawa, nearly 100,000 vaccine doses were administered locally last week. That brings the total of those with at least one dose to 85% and counting. More than 243,000 residents have had boosters.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.