Ottawa's top doctor urges parents to limit extra-curricular activities, sleepovers for unvaccinated children
Ottawa's medical officer of health is urging parents of unvaccinated children to limit close contacts, including extra-curricular activities with different groups and sleepovers, to stop transmission and keep COVID-19 outbreaks in schools "rare and limited."
In a letter to parents Friday afternoon, Dr. Vera Etches says her outlook for fall is one of "cautious optimism", noting first dose vaccination rates among residents 12 and older is approaching 90 per cent and hospitalizations remain low.
However, Etches says children under 12 remain unvaccinated and COVID-19 rates are highest in children 5 to 11 years-old.
"I know it can be concerning when you hear of COVID-19 cases in schools. We need your help to keep outbreaks rare and limited, so children and youth do not miss in-person school by having to stay home after an exposure to COVID-19."
Fifty-six of the 286 active cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa on Friday involve children under the age of 10.
Etches says while many parents and guardians are vaccinated, it's still "very important" for families to choose actions that make COVID-19 transmission to children and youth "less likely."
"The most common source of COVID-19 infections for children and youth are household members," writes Dr. Etches.
Etches writes that daily screening for COVID-19 symptoms, physical distancing, limiting the number of close contacts we have, wearing a mask when indoors and getting vaccinated when eligible "continue to be very important."
Etches offers tips to limit close contacts during the fall, especially for unvaccinated children and youth:
- Limiting the number of extra-curricular activities where there are different groups in close contact
- Choosing outdoor activities as much as possible
- Avoiding prolonged and unmasked indoor exposures such as sleepovers
- Keeping social activities outside of school to smaller groups to make follow-up easier if there is a COVID-19 exposure
As of Friday, there are COVID-19 outbreaks at five elementary and two secondary schools in Ottawa.
Etches urges parents to follow the Ottawa Public Health online screening tool for daily screening.
You can read the full letter to parents and guardians from Dr. Etches on the Ottawa Public Health website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Over 300 dead, thousands displaced in northern Afghanistan as floods affect region
The UN food agency estimated that unusually heavy seasonal rains in Afghanistan have left more than 300 people dead and thousands of houses destroyed.