Recent developments:
COVID-19 is emerging as part of a sixth wave in Ontario and Quebec. eastern ontarioThe province’s coronavirus sewage average leads that province and the overall situation is getting worse in Outaouais.
This puts vulnerable people, including children, at greater risk of serious health problems and is causing staff shortages. Hospitalizations and deaths, which have traditionally lagged behind the spread, have generally increased without spiking, and it’s not clear if they will.
Today, Ontario announced concurrent expansions of eligibility for PCR testing and eligibility for antiviral treatment. People over 70 are one of the groups covered by both, immunocompromised adults now qualify for PCR tests, and pharmacies can now give the Paxlovid pill treatment.
Public Health Ontario wants a return to indoor mask rules as part of a response. Medical director of health Dr. Kieran Moore said that will not happen at this time.
All Quebecers over the age of 60 can receive the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine starting today. quebec has delayed mask changes until at least the end of the month.
What are the numbers to watch?
Testing strategies have changed under Omicron’s contagious variant and many people with COVID-19 are not reflected in case counts. Hospitalization numbers and the sewage signal offer additional data that can help complete the picture.
There is more information in our daily key numbers story.
Ottawa
The average and now daily levels of coronavirus in Ottawa sewage has quickly risen to a new high, although that data is not available for the first wave.
There were 17 Ottawa residents in local hospitals for active COVID-19 treatment according to Monday’s OPH report. One needed intensive care.
Ottawa has had 68,150 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and 765 residents have died from the disease.
the wider region
Communities outside of Ottawa have about 65 COVID-19 hospitalizations, half of them in western Quebec. About 10 of those patients need intensive care. These numbers does not include Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Recent Kingston Area Wastewater Data includes stable, high levels in the city and the highest 2022 readings to the east. The sewage signal is increasing or stable at sites in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties.
In the rest of Eastern Ontario, 441 people with COVID-19 have died. The death toll is 294 in western Quebec.
About 5.2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
Rates of eligible Eastern Ontarians with at least two doses of vaccine range from 80 to 92 percent; adults with a third dose range from 58 to 70 percent. These numbers are not regularly available for western Quebec.
What are the rules?
There are no provincial vaccination requirements or capacity limits in Ontario and Quebec.
Masks are only required in certain indoor settings in Ontario. All of Ontario’s COVID-19 rules are expected to end on April 27.
Some places may choose to continue to require people to wear masks, get vaccinated, or both. The rules about wearing face coverings may be different in places that are under federal jurisdiction, such as the Ottawa airport.
Quebec has delayed plans to lift most mask mandates until April 30 at the earliest.
Ontario and Quebec isolation rules have been relaxed for some close contacts.
Ride
Travelers over the age of 12 years and four months must be fully vaccinated to board a plane or train in Canada.
Individuals must be fully vaccinated, pre-approved and asymptomatic to enter Canada without being quarantined.
The United States requires all adults to cross a border be fully vaccinated. People flying there will need proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Travelers who need a test They have local options to pay for one.
How can I manage the risk?
COVID-19 spreads through droplets that can become airborne. People can be contagious without symptoms, even after receiving a vaccine.
Evidence suggests that the dominant Omicron BA.2 subvariant is more contagious but generally less deadly to vaccinated individuals without underlying conditions. This level of spread puts vulnerable people at risk.
Most importantly, the KHSC staff has stepped up in every conceivable way. They are working overtime and seeing more patients each shift. But after two years they are burned out. We continue to recruit, hire and train new staff every day, but it’s not enough. We need your help.
Officials say people must take personal responsibility as government rules become recommendations.
They are urging people to get all doses of vaccines for which they are eligible, especially if they are over 50, stay home when sick, wear medical masks in crowded, closed spaces, keep hands clean, distance, watch others outdoors if possible. and limit close contacts, also considering community spread and vaccination rates.
ottawa morning10:09School board trustee to file motion to bring back masks
OCDSB Trustee Mark Fisher will present his motion at Tuesday’s meeting of the English Public Schools Board. He says that he is concerned about the growing presence of COVID-19 in the city. 10:09
Vaccines
Vaccines slow the spread of all variants of COVID-19 and go a long way toward preventing deaths and hospitalizations, although they do not offer complete protection.
Six COVID-19 vaccines are safe and approved in Canada, with some age restrictions on who can receive them.
eastern ontario
Eligible people can search province dating online or by phone at 1-833-943-3900.
Adults can reserve the third shot once 84 days have passed since the second shot. Third doses are available for ages 12 to 17 after 168 days.
Fourth doses are offered to all people over 60 years of age and select groups.
Check the websites of local health units for clinics and any specific premises, such as Renfrew County administers the fourth dose by appointment only. Some pharmacies and family doctors offer vaccinations through their own reservation systems.
Today’s vaccine clinic, Monday, April 11 in Brockville @YMCAEasternON is full and CANNOT have walk-ins. Find other vaccine clinic days and times here: https://t.co/sBTlbxNjfI pic.twitter.com/QWT4b4xi9L
western quebec
Eligible residents can get a date online by calling 1-877-644-4545 or visiting a permanent or mobile outpatient clinic.
All persons 12 years of age and older are eligible for a third dose; the general recommended waiting time after one second is three months.
Fourth doses are available for people age 60 and older and some higher-risk groups.
Symptoms, treatment and tests
COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a serious lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, cough, headache, fatigue, and vomiting. If you have severe symptoms, call 911.
“Long-term” symptoms can last for months.
Mental health can also be affected by the pandemic, Y resources are available to help.
Ontario Y quebec are using antiviral treatments in people at higher risk for serious problems from COVID-19 who have tested positive. They should start within five days of developing symptoms.
Ontario expanded eligibility in mid-April to groups that include everyone over the age of 70. Health care providers are empowered to prescribe them to others if they deem it necessary, and Ontario pharmacies can now dispense the Paxlovid pill along with clinical assessment centers where people can get a test and treatment.
Quebec is distributing Paxlovid for free in pharmacies with the referral of a medical professional.
Tests
Ontario and Quebec have lab-proven PCR tests limited to people at higher risk due to demand generated by Omicron.
Ontario too extended this eligibility in mid-April to match that antiviral expansion; now everyone over 70 and immunocompromised adults can get them.
Qualified persons may consult with your health authority for locations and hours. Other people with symptoms should assume they have COVID-19 and self-isolate.
Both provinces are giving away rapid tests at participating stores and daycare centers. People can also buy them.
The plan is that people in Ontario with a positive rapid test will eventually be able to get a follow-up PCR test. People in Quebec can report the results of rapid tests online.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Indigenous people, or someone traveling to work in a remote indigenous community, are eligible for a PCR test in both Ontario and Quebec.
Ottawa Inuit can call the Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team at 613-740-0999 Monday through Friday for tests and immunizations in Inuktitut or English.
akwesasne have COVID-19, test and immunization information online or at 613-575-2341. masks remain in their schools. About 1,900 residents have tested positive and 19 have died between its northern and southern sections.
People in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg can call 819-449-8085 for a test on Wednesdays, if they qualify. Rapid tests are available at the health center. It had more than 175 confirmed cases and one death as of mid-January; more than 150 as of December 3, 2021.
Pikwàkanagán has terminated its COVID hotline, and instead refers people to its healthcare services. The community did not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of December 2021; it had 114 confirmed cases as of March 11.
The Bay of Quinte Mohawks are maintain mask mandates for government buildings until April 19. Anyone interested in a PCR test or vaccine can call 613-967-3603, rapid tests are available at the wellness center on weekdays. It had 91 confirmed cases until it stopped sharing its count in January, with two deaths.
Reference-www.cbc.ca