What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 16

Recent developments:

• Ottawa reports 199 cases of COVID-19 Thursday and one death.
• "Circuit breaker"measures are needed to protectICUs, says Ontario science table.
• Carleton, Uof O, Queen's to start2022 with online-only classes.
• An "important" pandemic updateis coming forQuebec.
• Free rapid tests hard to find in Ottawa despite the new provincial"blitz."

What's the latest?

Ottawa Public Health (OPH)reported 199 more COVID-19 cases Thursday,its most cases in a daily update since April 30. Ottawa and the Belleville area reported their first COVID deaths of December.

Ontario's COVID-19 science tablecalled for immediate and stringent public health measureson Thursday to combat a growing surge of the Omicron variant, which could see ICU admissions reach "unsustainable levels" early next year.

Carleton University and the University of Ottawawill start January withonline-only learning for every class possible forthree weeksand will re-evaluate the situation in January.

Queen's University will do as much as possible online until Feb. 28.

Quebec's premier says he has an important pandemic update to give tonight at 6 p.m.

WATCH | Free rapid COVID-19 tests not available right away inOttawa:

Ottawa residents frustrated by unavailability of rapid tests

3 years ago

Duration 1:02

Ottawa residents Angelica Haggert and Edward Ng say trying to get access to rapid COVID-19 tests in Ontario is a frustrating process, especially because so many other provinces provide free tests to residents.

How many cases are there?

As of Thursday,Ottawa has had 33,403 confirmedcases ofCOVID-19.

There are 973known active cases, while 31,811cases are consideredresolved and 619people have died from the illness.

Public health officials have reported more than 64,200COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than60,100cases now resolved. Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 242people with COVID-19 have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 223.

Akwesasnehas had nearly 1,250 residents test positive forCOVID-19and has reported15deathsbetween its northern and southern sections.

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territoryhas had 53cases and one death.Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeghashad 52 cases andone death.Pikwkanagn hasn't had any cases.

What are the rules?

Eastern Ontario:

There are no capacity restrictionsfor most places that require proof of vaccination, except fora newcapacity capfor large indoor venues.

• Leafs, Raptors, Senators to have 50 per cent fan capacity

Private gathering limits are25 people inside and 100 people outside.Long-term care rules are tightening over the next week.

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 to counter the Omicron variant that's straining the health-care system again.

Local officials can change rules and that's happened inRenfrew Countyhas done that for isolation, the Belleville areaand Kingston area.

• Kingston area going back to early autumn COVID-19 rules in latest bid to turn tide
• Local health officials urge province to strengthen COVID-19 rules

Health units for the Belleville, Kingston and Leeds,Grenville and Lanark areasareasking residents to avoid in-persongatherings, as are councils forAkwesasneand Kitigan ZibiAnishinabeg.

WATCH | Fears of classrooms closing again because of Omicron:

Students, parents anxious as Omicron prompts fears of return to remote learning

3 years ago

Duration 3:24

Students and parents across Canada are bracing themselves for the possibility that Omicron cases could force a return to virtual learning after the holidays.

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.

• Lac-Leamy casino fails to enforce mask mandates

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.

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

• How does Omicron spread so fast?

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.

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

WATCH | Masks to counter Omicron:

What masks are most effective against Omicron?

3 years ago

Duration 3:37

The Nationals Andrew Chang finds out what researchers have learned about cloth, surgical and N95-style masks and the protection they offer against the Omicron variant.

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.

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.

WATCH | The latest federal travel advice:

Ottawa reinstates non-essential travel advisory, says rules could change

3 years ago

Duration 3:56

Canadians are once again being advised against any non-essential international travel, with the federal government warning that further restrictions could be implemented at any time.

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.

Air travellers from every country except the United States have to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and isolate until they get resultsand there are further travel restrictions from a number ofAfrican countries because ofOmicron.

Ontario 'urgently expanding eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots: premier

3 years ago

Duration 0:59

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 recommend doses for kids age five to 11 be given at least eight weeks apart, with limited exceptions.

Everyone 18 and older able to book thirdshotsstarting Monday. The provincealso shortenedthe interval required between the second and third doses from six months to three months.

Quebecplans to lower its age threshold for boostersin January.

WATCH | Ontario 'urgently expanding eligibility' for COVID-19 booster shots:

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.

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 malls, libraries and LCBOs,Kingston-area family doctor offices,andsome child-care settings when risk is high. Students will get a pack of test kits for the holiday break.

• Locations so far of the province's holiday rapid testing blitz

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.

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.