Ottawa enters new wave of COVID-19, health unit declares
Ottawa Public Health says Ottawa has entered a new wave of COVID-19 this fall, as key indicators indicate a rise in COVID-19 in the community.
Ottawa residents are being urged to wear masks indoors to protect themselves and others, and be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.
In its weekly snapshot of the COVID-19 situation in Ottawa, the health unit said, "Our monitoring indicators are showing we are now in a new wave of COVID-19."
"We are also heading into the respiratory illness season where we expect respiratory viruses to be circulating."
Ottawa Public Health says both the wastewater viral signal and the testing per cent positivity rates are high and increasing. While the COVID-19 wastewater viral signal is lower this week than it was from mid-July to mid-August, it is still higher than it was during the Omicron wave in the winter.
"The same strategies we use to fight COVID-19 can help protect you from other viruses," the health unit said on Twitter.
"If you are feeling sick, stay home. Isolate until you have no fever & symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours. After isolating, continue to wear a mask in public for 10 days. As the weather gets colder, more people will gather indoors. Consider wearing a mask to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and other viruses. Your actions matter."
All Ottawa residents aged 18 and older are now eligible to receive the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose, and will be offered the bivalent vaccine when you book an appointment.
"This booster is an added layer of protection, giving your body even more ways, it can fight COVID-19," the health unit said.
The Montfort Hospital has imposed visitor restrictions due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the community.
Effective Wednesday, visitors are not allowed to visit patients in care units at Montfort Hospital.
Only one family caregiver at a time may be present at the bedside, and up to two family caregivers may be designated to assist the patient.
"This is a safety measure for our patients and employees as we see a rise in COVID-19 cases in our community," the Montfort Hospital said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
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.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.