Time to take 7th COVID wave seriously, Etches warns

Ottawa residents should consider limiting in-person contact and businesses should consider requiring customers to wear masks indoors to protect the most vulnerable during what's become a concerning seventh wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's medical officer of health urged Thursday.

COVID-19 levels are currently very high in the capital, Dr. Vera Etches wrote in a new statement, her first since April.

Key pandemic indicators — hospitalizations, test positivity, the number of outbreaks and amount of coronavirus measured in the city's wastewater — are all on the rise, she said.

Now, Etches says it's time for further measures.

WATCH | What's driving COVID's rise in Ottawa?:

She's now recommending wearing masks in crowded outdoor spaces and seeing fewer people in person. Businesses can lead by example by bringing back certain measures, she said.

Familiar guidance about wearing masks indoors, staying home when sick and getting booster shots remains unchanged.

"If you haven't yet taken this wave seriously, now's a good time to start," said OPH in its weekly snapshot on Twitter.

Last week, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) warned the tens of thousands of residents who have been vaccinated but haven't received a booster shot that they're no longer adequately protected against newer Omicron subvariants.

"Those aged 60 and over remain at high risk for severe illness and complications from COVID-19, yet over 25,000 Ottawa residents over the age of 60 have yet to access their third dose (first booster), and over 88,000 still require their fourth dose (second booster)," Etches said.

She welcomed Thursday's news that Ontario is opening COVID-19 vaccine appointments next week for children aged six months to five years old, along with fourth doses for immunocompromised youth ages 12 to 17.