What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Saturday, June 6
Recent developments:
Three more COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in the city, according to Ottawa Public Health's Saturday report. The city's death toll is now 251.
Ontario is extending its emergency orders until at least June 19.
First it was toilet paper, then yeast — now bicycles are the hot commodity in Ottawa.
A local family says it's facing an eviction notice because their kids were too loud while stuck at home during the pandemic.
Ottawa police thank anti-racism demonstrators for a peaceful march on Friday via Twitter.
What's happening today?
Ontario is extending its emergency COVID-19 orders, which were set to expire this upcoming Tuesday, for another 10 days. Those orders include banning people from dining in bars and restaurants and gathering in groups larger than five.
The province's state of emergency, which permits the government to issue emergency orders, was extended earlier this week to June 30.
COVID-19 and the arrival of sunny weather have combined to create a perfect storm in cycling circles, drastically increasing demand and decreasing supply of bikes in Ottawa.
An Ottawa family with three young children is looking for a new home after being served an eviction notice following complaints the kids were being too loud while at home during isolation.
How many cases are there?
There have been 1,998 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa and 251 deaths linked to the respiratory illness, as of the latest Ottawa Public Health report on Friday.
There are more than 3,100 known cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
More than 2,500 people in the region have recovered from COVID-19.
COVID-19 has killed 50 people in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties, 17 in other parts of eastern Ontario and 25 in the Outaouais.
Confirmed cases are just a snapshot because, until recently, not everyone could be tested in Ontario. Also, not everyone with COVID-19 will go to get tested (potentially because they are asymptomatic) and results take time to process.
What's open and closed?
Ontario is in "stage one" of its three-stage reopening plan. When ready, its next stage should bring more offices, outdoor spaces and gatherings back. Ontario has extended its state of emergency until June 30.
The farmers market at Lansdowne Park is open for pre-ordering and pickup-by-appointment. Drive-in movie theatres and batting cages in Ontario are open.
In Quebec, malls, campgrounds and Airbnbs, courts and services such as dentist offices and hair salons have reopened.
National parks and historic sites across Canada, which includes the majority of Rideau Canal lockstations, are open. The same goes for backcountry camping at Ontario Parks sites and recreational camping on Crown lands.
The City of Ottawa has cancelled all summer day camps and is providing refunds or credits. The city said it hopes to set up a different type of camp format, similar to what the City of Gatineau is doing.
Many parks are now open with limits, such as not using playground equipment or gathering.
The closure of overnight camping and some day-use activities at provincial parks and conservation reserves will continue until at least June 14. Short-term rentals, which include cottages and bed and breakfasts, are allowed to resume business in Ontario.
Quebec elementary schools outside Montreal are open. Schools for its older students and all Ontario schools are closed through summer.
Post-secondary schools are moving toward more online classes this fall, with Ontario promising a fall plan for younger students by July and Quebec hoping to have students back in class full-time.
Distancing and isolating
The coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People don't need to have symptoms to be contagious.
That means physical distancing measures such as working from home and staying at least two metres away from anyone they don't live with.
Ottawa Public Health now wants people to think about how to safely do certain things and recommends people wear a fabric or non-medical mask when they can't always stay two metres from strangers, such as at a grocery store.
Anyone who has symptoms or travelled recently outside Canada must self-isolate for at least 14 days.
Specifically in Ottawa, anyone waiting for a COVID-19 test result must self-isolate at least until they know the result.
The same goes for anyone in Ontario who's been in contact with someone who's tested positive or is presumed to have COVID-19.
People 70 and older or with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions should also self-isolate.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a dry cough, vomiting and the loss of taste or smell.
Less common symptoms include chills, headaches and pink eye. The Ontario government says in rare cases, children can develop a rash.
If you have severe symptoms, call 911.
Where to get tested
In eastern Ontario:
In Ottawa any resident who feels they need a test, even if they are not showing symptoms, can now be tested.
Tests are done at the Brewer Arena from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., seven days a week, or at 595 Moodie Dr. and 1485 Heron Rd. those same hours on weekdays.
Testing has also expanded for local residents and employees who work in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit area.
There is a drive-thru test centre in Casselman and assessment centres in Hawkesbury and Winchester that don't require people to call ahead and others in Rockland, and Cornwall that require an appointment.
In Kingston, the assessment centre at the Kingston Memorial Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for anyone with symptoms.
Napanee's test centre is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for people who call for an appointment.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark unit asks you to get tested if you have a symptom or concerns about exposure.
It has a walk-in site in Brockville open seven days a week at the Memorial Centre and testing sites in Smiths Falls and Almonte which require an appointment.
The public health unit in the Belleville area is asking people to call it at 613-966-5500, their family doctor or Telehealth if they have symptoms or questions.
If you have no symptoms, you can arrange a test in Bancroft, Belleville or Trenton by calling the centre, or in Picton by texting 613-813-6864. You can also call Picton's number as a backup.
You may also qualify for a home test.
Renfrew County is also providing home testing under some circumstances. Residents without access to a family doctor can call 1-844-727-6404 if they have health questions, COVID-19-related or not.
If you're concerned about the coronavirus, take the self-assessment.
In western Quebec:
Outaouais residents should call 819-644-4545 if they have symptoms. They could end up being referred to Gatineau's testing centre.
First Nations:
Local communities have declared states of emergency, put in a curfew or both.
Akwesasne has opened a mobile COVID-19 test site available by appointment only. Anyone returning to Akwesasne who's been farther than 80 kilometres away is asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Anyone in Tyendinaga who has symptoms can call 613-967-3603 to talk to a nurse.
Pikwakanagan's council planned to let businesses reopen as of May 29. Kitigan Zibi is keeping schools closed through the summer.
For more information
