Public health experts warn that the higher levels of COVID-19 observed in Ottawa over the past month are expected to continue to rise throughout the fall.
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau
‘The pandemic is not over’: Experts expect a surge in COVID cases this fall
Higher COVID-19 levels seen in Ottawa in the past month are expected to continue to rise through the fall, public health experts warn.
Comments closedTopic: wastewater monitoringView all posts for the topic: wastewater monitoring
A look inside Waterloo Region’s wastewater surveillance program
You may not have heard as much about the spread of COVID-19 lately, but the threat remains.
Wastewater testing continues in Waterloo Region and over the last several weeks, it’s been picking up increased signals of the virus.
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau
Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑08‑30
COVID-19 wastewater viral signal
The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+732%) since a low on July 12, 2023. The viral signal is still lower than the extremely high peaks in early January and early April.
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COVID outbreak declared at Cambridge Memorial Hospital
Cambridge Memorial Hospital is declaring a COVID-19 outbreak in its Inpatient Surgery Unit.
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COVID-19 case numbers are rising again: What does that mean?
Comments closedWe’re seeing new data all the time on the long-term consequences of infection, whether it’s long COVID or the impact on the heart.
Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau
Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023-08-23
COVID-19 wastewater viral signal
The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+644%) since a low on July 12, 2023. The viral signal is still lower than the extremely high peaks in early January and early April.
Comments closedTopic: hospital-acquired infectionsView all posts for the topic: hospital-acquired infections
Lung cancer patient says hospital COVID protection ‘all wrong’ after testing positive
Masking and physical distancing policies at The Ottawa Hospital are “all wrong,” says a pneumonia and lung cancer patient who tested positive for COVID-19 while receiving care at the hospital.
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‘Worst nightmare’: Family calls for stricter mask policies after vulnerable Ottawa woman contracts COVID in hospital
The family of an Ottawa woman already suffering from pneumonia and lung cancer is calling for stricter masking policies after she became infected with COVID while a patient at The Ottawa Hospital.
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Two new cases of mpox in Ottawa
Ottawa Public Health is investigating two new cases of mpox in Ottawa, the first cases in the capital in 10 months.
Comments closedTopic: wastewater monitoringView all posts for the topic: wastewater monitoring
What’s the future of wastewater testing for COVID‑19?
Wastewater surveillance became an important tool for detecting COVID-19 outbreaks in communities throughout the pandemic, and it continues to be used in search for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 as well as other pathogens.
But it’s unclear whether current levels of government funding to monitor wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 will continue beyond next year. Experts are calling on the federal government to create a standardized system for wastewater surveillance to bolster and replace the patchwork being used today.
Comments closedTopic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID
Closing of Toronto long-COVID rehab program a failure to support patients
A Toronto-based Unity Health Rehabilitation Program for those with long COVID will be shutting down on August 31. The shuttering of the program takes one more virtual option away from those in Ontario with the condition.
Comments closedTopic: wastewater monitoringView all posts for the topic: wastewater monitoring
Wastewater sampling in Canada suggests COVID case rate 19 times higher than reported
At the peak of a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant wave in Ontario, wastewater sampling conducted before the surge suggested that COVID-19 cases were 19 times higher than reported because of changes in clinical testing.
Continue readingWastewater sampling in Canada suggests COVID case rate 19 times higher than reported
Comments closed Topic: N95 respiratorsView all posts for the topic: N95 respirators
Public Health should offer N95 masks
Re: Heavy smoke, smog wallop Ottawa, cancelling Dragon Boat, Indigenous festivals, June 25.
Thanks to climate change, we’re experiencing unprecedented hazardous air quality. Concentrations of pollutants have been an order of magnitude greater than the levels in major cities. And more smoke is on the way.
Ottawa Public Health should follow the example of public health organizations in other cities: it should distribute N95 respirators to Ottawa residents. Huron Perth Public Health is now offering respirators to residents who are at high risk for respiratory issues.
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Ontario to stop free COVID-19 rapid test program in pharmacies, grocery stores
An Ontario program that distributes free rapid tests for COVID-19 at grocery stores and pharmacies will end after this month.
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Parents ask Ottawa’s largest school board to monitor air quality
As children are on the list of those most affected by wildfire smoke, some parents are concerned about sending their kids to school due to poor air quality.
During Tuesday night’s Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) budget meeting, Ecology Ottawa Board Chair Katie Gibbs requested that funds go to ensure better ventilation in schools.
Comments closedTopic: universal maskingView all posts for the topic: universal masking
Hospitals must keep the masks
Re: Three Ottawa hospitals loosen masking requirements, still require them in clinical areas, May 15.
I’m really disappointed to hear that masks will no longer be required in certain public spaces at the Queensway Carleton, Montfort and Royal hospitals. Preventative medicine is best.
We need universal masking with N95 and FFP3 respirators to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.
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