What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 15

Recent developments:

• Omicron is leading to changes in Ontario, including third vaccine doses.
• The federal government says to avoid non-essential international travel.
• Ottawa reports 116 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
• Kingstoniansare hunkering down during theregion's record-high case counts.

What's the latest?

The Omicron coronavirus variant is taking hold in Ontario.

An update on third vaccine doses is expected at 3:30p.m. ETand moreprovincewide changes are needed rather than the current region-by-region approach, according to its chief medical officer of health.

Also because of Omicron, the federal governmentis officially telling Canadians to avoid non-essential international travelfor at least the next four weeks.

Ottawa Public Health(OPH) reported 116 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and no deaths. The city now has 12 confirmed Omicron cases and another 110 presumed Omicron cases.

WATCH LIVE | A federal government news conference on COVID-19:

At 51 per cent, more than half of Ottawa children age five to 11 have had a first COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Kingston, Ont., residents say there is a palpable fear in the city as skyrocketing case counts have led to some of the province's toughest restrictions.

How many cases are there?

As of Wednesday,Ottawa has had 33,204 confirmedcases ofCOVID-19.

There are 845known active cases, while 31,741 cases are consideredresolved and 618people have died from the illness.

Public health officials have reported more than 63,700COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including about 59,900 cases now resolved. Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 241people with COVID-19 have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 223.

Akwesasnehas had more than 1,200 residents test positive forCOVID-19and has reported15deathsbetween its northern and southern sections.

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territoryhas had 52cases and one death.Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeghashad 44cases andone death.Pikwkanagn hasn't had any cases.

What are the rules?

Eastern Ontario:

There are signals the province's strategy is changing because of the speed that the Omicron variant spreads. Long-term care rules are changing in stages over the next week.

For now,there are no capacity restrictionsfor most places that require proof of vaccination,norfor outdoor organized events. Private gathering limits are25 people inside and 100 people outside.

The province'svaccine passportisrequired for people age 12 and up in many public places. It won't be required for younger kids.

People can prove their vaccine status with a paper document, aPDFfile or aQR code. These documents have to have a QR code as of Jan. 4 and medical exemptions have to have one by Jan. 10.

Health officials say people should recommit to the fundamentals of getting vaccinated, testing and staying homewhen sick andlimitingsocial contacts.

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Local officials can change rules for example,Renfrew Countyhas done that for isolation, the Belleville areaforschool symptomsand the Kingston area for indoor gatherings, restaurants, isolation,school symptomsand businesses.

Health units for the Belleville, Kingston and Leeds,Grenville and Lanark areasareasking residents to avoid in-persongatherings, as isAkwesasne's council.

Ottawa is warning residents that rising cases are affecting its abilityto contact trace. The city's testing task forceis also warning its resources are being stretched.

WATCH | A Q&A on the worst-case Omicron scenario:

Elderly Canadians remain at risk after multiple COVID-19 vaccine doses

3 years ago

Duration 2:01

Long-term care residents were among the first Canadians to receive COVID-19 vaccines, but even after second and third doses they remain at risk and some are facing new restrictions because of the omicron variant.

Western Quebec

Ten people are allowed to gatherinsidehomes and 20 people outdoors which increases to 50 if playing sports. The indoor gathering limit goes up to 20people next Thursday,Dec. 23.

There are nocapacity limits for Quebec venues with assigned seats andrestaurants.

A vaccine passportis in place for most people age 13 and up in many publicspaces. It won't apply to younger kids. People can use an app or show paper proof.

Other groups in the region are also coming out with their own COVID-19 vaccine policies, including for staff and visitors.

What can I do?

Prevention

COVID-19primarily spreads through droplets thatcan hang in the air. People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine.

This means it isimportantto take precautionssuch asstaying home while sick and getting help with costs if needed keeping hands and surfaces clean and consideringdistancingfrom anyone you don't live with.

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Masks, preferably medical or surgical ones, aremandatory in indoor public settingsin Ontarioand Quebecand recommended in crowded outdoor areas.

When and how long to self-isolatecan vary inQuebecandOntarioand by vaccination status.

Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditionsgethelp with errands and have supplies in case they need to isolate.

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Scientists are working to find out more abouthow easily theOmicron coronavirus variantspreads, itsseverity andthe performance of vaccines against it.

WATCH | The vaccine protection levels for older people:

Pfizer vaccine less effective against omicron, new data shows

3 years ago

Duration 2:02

New data gathered in South Africa suggests Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine is less effective at preventing infections caused by the omicron variant, but the shot is still helpful in preventing hospitalization from the virus.

Travel

Travellers morethan 12 years and four months oldmust nowbe fully vaccinatedto board a plane, train or marine vessel in Canada.

The federal government is officially advising against non-essential international travel until at least Jan. 12.

The U.S.requireseveryone crossing aland, air or water border to be fully vaccinated. People flying there will need proof of a negative COVID test within a dayof departure.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents no longer need proof of a test when returning fromtrips to the U.S.under 72 hours.

The hope is that other countries will acceptprovincial or territorial proof of vaccination.

People have to befully vaccinated and pre-approvedto enterCanada.

Because of the Omicron variant, air travellers from every country except the United States have to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and isolate until they get results.

There are further travel restrictions from a number ofAfrican countries because ofOmicron.

Vaccines

Vaccines curb thespreadof all variants of COVID-19 and go a long way toward avoiding deaths and hospitalizations,without offering total protection.

Four COVID-19 vaccines havebeen deemed safe and approvedin Canada, with some age restrictions.

Health Canada hasapproved Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for children as young asfive. Both local provinces generally recomend doses for kids age five to 11 be given at least eight weeks apart, with limited exceptions such as being immunocompromised in Quebec.

WATCH | The latest data about Pfizer's protection against Omicron:

Rapid COVID-19 test access varies by province

3 years ago

Duration 1:58

Alberta and Quebec will soon make rapid COVID-19 tests available to the public, something several provinces and countries have done for months. But the tests remain costly in Ontario, despite calls to make them easier to access.

Ontario's next third shot expansion comes Jan. 4 and will make all adults eligible; Quebecplans to lower its age in January.

There have been more than 3.9 million COVID-19 first, second and third vaccine doses administered in the wider Ottawa-Gatineau region,which has about 2.3 million residents.

Eastern Ontario

Peopleborn in 2016 and earlier canlook for provincialappointments onlineor over the phone at 1-833-943-3900.

Local health units have some flexibility,so check their websitesfor details. Many offer child-only clinics anddoses on short notice ascampaigns look tofill gaps in vaccine coverage and cover expandedeligibility.

Pharmacies and some family doctorsoffer vaccines through their own booking systems.

Western Quebec

Anyone who is fiveand oldercan get an appointmentor visitapermanent ormobile walk-in clinic.

Clinics for childrenare in schools andkids will need written consent from a parent to be vaccinated there.

Siblings can be booked together in a single time slotand parents can check a box to signal if their child is nervous.

Symptoms and testing

COVID-19can range from a cold-like illnessto a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough,headache, vomitingand loss of taste or smell.

"Long-haul" symptoms can last for months.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911.

Mental healthcan also beaffected by the pandemic,andresources are available to help.

In eastern Ontario:

Ontariosays togettested by making an appointmentat a clinic if you fit certain criteria. Check with yourhealth unit for clinic locations and hours.

Select pharmaciestest people with symptoms, along with certain people without symptoms.

Rapid and take-home testsare available in some places,including Kingston-area family doctor offices,pharmacies andsome child-care settings when risk is high. Students will get a pack of test kits for the holiday break.

A positive rapid test will trigger a follow-up.

Travellers who need a testhavelocal options to pay for one.

In western Quebec:

Tests are strongly recommended for people with symptoms and their contacts.

People can make an appointment or see if they're near awalk-in optiononline. They can also call 1-877-644-4545 with questions during hours the line is running.

Gargle tests areoffered in some places instead of a swab.

Rapid COVID-19 tests are available in all Quebec daycares,preschools and elementary schoolsand now through pharmaciesfor the general population.

WATCH | The national rapid test picture:

First Nations, Inuit and Mtis:

First Nations, Inuit and Mtispeople, or someone travelling to work in a remote Indigenous community, are eligible for a test in Ontario.

Akwesasne has COVID-19 test andvaccine clinics, with information online or at613-575-2341.

People in Kitigan ZibiAnishinabeg can call the health centre at 819-449-5593 for a test or vaccine; email is another option for vaccine booking.

Tests are available inPikwkanagnby calling613-625-1175 and vaccines (including third doses)at 613-625-2259 extension 225 or by email.

Anyone inTyendinagawho's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603 and should watch the website fordedicated vaccine clinics.

Inuit in Ottawa can call the Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team at 613-740-0999 for service, including testing andvaccines, in Inuktitut or English on weekdays.