What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Thursday, Nov. 11

Recent developments:

• Remembrance Day ceremonies will take place but with some COVID-19 precautions.
• Ottawa reports 40 new COVID-19 cases Thursday and no new deaths.
• Ontario has paused its plan to lift capacity limits in higher-risk settings for at leasta month.
• The province reported 642 new COVID-19 cases today.

What's the latest?

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported 40 more COVID-19 cases Thursday and no new deaths.

RemembranceDay ceremonies will be taking place today, but some pandemic-related adjustments have been made.

While spectators are welcome at the National War Memorial, distancing and masks will still be required.

The Royal Canadian Legion saysthere will not be a veterans' parade or a Canadian Armed Forces parade. Wreathes are being pre-placed at the memorial this year.

Ontario reported642 new COVID-19 cases, a 46-per-cent jump from this time last week and the most new caseson a single day in more than a month.

It'spausing its plan to lift capacity limits in remaining higher-risk settings "out of an abundance of caution."

Across Ontario, capacity limits and physical distancing will remain in placefor night clubs, event spaces where there is dancing (for example, those that host wedding receptions), strip clubs and other such venues where proof of vaccination is required.

Limits were set to be liftedon Nov. 15.Instead, the province now says itwill monitor data for 28 days from that pointto determine when it is safe to proceed.

How many cases are there?

As of Thursday, Ottawa has had 31,241confirmedcases ofCOVID-19.There are 328known active cases, while 30,304cases are consideredresolved and 609people have died from the illness.

Public health officials have reported more than 57,700 COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 56,000cases now resolved. Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 223people with COVID-19 have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 223.

Akwesasnehas had more than1,000 residents test positive forCOVID-19and has reported14deathsbetween its northern and southern sections.

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeghas had 34 cases and one death. Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has had 20 cases and one death.Pikwakanagan hasn't had any cases.

CBC Ottawa is profiling those who've died of COVID-19. If you'd like to share your loved one's story, please get in touch.

What are the rules?

Eastern Ontario:

There are no capacity restrictionsfor most places that require proof of vaccination norfor outdoor organized events.

• What's open and closed this Remembrance Day in Ottawa

The plan isto liftpublic health measures in stagesuntil March 2022, with the next on Monday ending capacity limits in places such as night clubs and dancing spaces for wedding receptions.

Private gathering limits are 25 people inside and 100 people outside.

The province'svaccine passportisrequired for people of an eligible vaccine age in many public places. People can show paper, PDF orQR codeproof.

Western Quebec

Under its green zone rules, 10people are allowed to gatherinside private residences and 20 people outdoors which increases to 50 if playing sports.

There are nocapacity limits for Quebec venues with assigned seats and now restaurants. Its next rule changes are coming Mondayin places such as schools, bars and gyms.

The premier saidin October thestate of emergency that gives the government special powers will be lifted once kids aged five to 11 are vaccinated.

A vaccine passportis in place for most people age 13 and up in many publicspaces.

People can use an app or show paper proof; people from out of provincecan show proof from their province, territory or country. The province has arecordfor Quebecers to use outside of the province.

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

Key upcoming dates include unvaccinatedfederal public servantsbeing put on unpaid leave as early as Monday, the same day unvaccinated health-care workers in Quebec lose bonuses and have to get regularly tested.

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.

Masks, preferably ones that fit snugly and havethree layers, aremandatory in indoor public settingsin Ontarioand Quebecand recommended in crowded outdoor areas.

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

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

Travel

Travellers must nowbe vaccinatedto board a plane, train or marine vessel in Canada. Partially vaccinated travellers can showproof of a valid COVID-19 molecular test until Nov. 29.

The U.S. has reopened its land border with Canada. Itrequiresall travellers land, air and waterto be fully vaccinated. Some people withmixeddoses will be allowedand it won't require a recent test.

People have to befully vaccinated,tested and pre-approvedto enterCanada. ThePCR test requirement is under review.

• How some Canadian travellers are getting free COVID-19 tests in the U.S.

The prime minister said in late Octoberhe's "very confident" countries around the world will acceptprovincial or territorial proof of vaccination.

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.

The two most commonareapproved for youthas young as 12. Trial data is being reviewedfor the firstshot for younger kids and health officials are well into developing plans for if it's approved.

Canada's vaccinetask force sayspeople can wait threeto 16 weeks between first and seconddosesandit's safe and effective to mix first and second doses.

Ontario and Quebec aregiving certain groups third doses.

There have been more than 3.6million COVID-19 first, second and third vaccine doses administered in the wider Ottawa-Gatineau region,which has about 2.3 million residents.

Eastern Ontario

Ontario isvaccinating anyone whowill beage12 or older in 2021.

Peoplecanlook for provincialappointments onlineor over the phone at 1-833-943-3900. Pharmacies and some family doctorsoffer vaccines through their own booking systems.

Local health units have some flexibilityso check their websitesfor details. Theyoffer doses on short notice ascampaigns look tofill gaps in vaccine coverage and cover expanded third dose eligibility.

The province has recommended people aged 18 to 24 get the Pfizer-BioNTech, or Comirnaty, vaccine because the Moderna or Spikevax vaccine brings a mild risk of a rareheart condition.

Western Quebec

Anyone 12 and oldercan make an appointmentor visitapermanent ormobile walk-in clinic.

As of Nov. 16, people age 70 and over can get a third dose at least six months after their second.

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, such as having symptoms, exposure or a certain job.

Check with yourhealth unit for clinic locations and hours. People without symptomsbut who arepart of the province's targeted testing strategycan make an appointment at select pharmacies.

Rapid and take-home testsare available in some places,including pharmacies andsome child-care settings when risk is high. A positive test will trigger a test at a clinic.

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 are being offered in some places instead of a swab.

Rapid COVID-19 tests are available in all Quebec preschools and elementary schools.

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, at 613-625-2259 extension 225 or by email.

• COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: What you need to know this week

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.