Recent developments:
What’s the latest?
The Omicron coronavirus variant is taking hold in Ontario.
An update of third vaccine doses is expected at 15:30 ET, and more changes are needed across the province instead of the current region-by-region approach, according to its health chief.
Also because of Omicron, the federal government officially tells Canadians to avoid unnecessary international travel for at least the next four weeks.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) on Wednesday reported 116 new cases of COVID-19 and no deaths. The city now has 12 confirmed Omicron cases and a further 110 suspected Omicron cases.
SEE LIVE | A Federal Government News Conference on COVID-19:
Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Susy Hota and Dr. Peter Juni, the scientific director of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, discusses the growing wave of omicron cases, including what people need to understand and the possible worst-case scenario. 7:16
With 51 percent, more than half of Ottawa children ages five to 11 have received a first COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Residents of Kingston, Ont., Say there is a noticeable fear in the city as skyrocketing of cases has led to some of the province’s toughest restrictions.
How many cases are there?
As of Wednesday, Ottawa has had 33,204 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
There are 845 known active cases, while 31,741 cases are considered resolved and 618 people have died from the disease.
Public health officials have reported more than 63,700 COVID-19 cases in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including about 59,900 cases now resolved. Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 241 people with COVID-19 have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 223.
Akwesasne has had more than 1,200 residents tested positive for COVID-19 and has reported 15 deaths between its northern and southern sections.
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has had 52 cases and one death. Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg has had 44 cases and one death. Pikwakanagàn has not had any cases.
What are the rules?
Eastern Ontario:
There are signs that the province’s strategy is changing due to the speed at which the Omicron variant is spreading. The long-term care rules will change in stages over the next week.
For now, there are no capacity constraints for most venues that require proof of vaccination, nor for outdoor organized events. The limits for private gatherings are 25 people inside and 100 people outside.
The province’s vaccine passport is required for people aged 12 and up in many public places. It will not be required for younger children.
People can prove their vaccine status with a paper document, a PDF file or a QR code. These documents must have a QR code per. January 4th, and medical exemptions must have one by January 10th.
Health authorities say people should commit to the basics of getting vaccinated, tested and staying home when they are sick and restricting social contacts.
Local officials may change rules – for example, Renfrew County has done so for isolation, the Belleville area for school symptoms and the Kingston area for indoor gatherings, restaurants, isolation, school symptoms and businesses.
Health units for the areas of Belleville, Kingston and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark are asking residents to avoid personal gatherings, as is Akwesasne’s advice.
Ottawa warns residents that rising cases are affecting its ability to contact tracks. The city’s test team also warns that its resources are being stretched.
SE | A question and answer about the worst-case Omicron scenario:
Long-term caregivers were among the first Canadians to receive COVID-19 vaccines, but even after the second and third doses, they remain at risk, and some face new restrictions due to the omicron variant. 2:01
Western Quebec
Ten people can gather inside the homes and 20 people outdoors – which increases to 50 if they play sports. The indoor gathering limit goes up to 20 people next Thursday, December 23rd.
There are no capacity restrictions for venues in Quebec with allocated seats and restaurants.
A vaccine passport is in place for most people from the age of 13 and up in many public spaces. This does not apply to younger children. People can use an app or view paper proofs.
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-19 is spread primarily through droplets that can hang in the air. People can be infected without symptoms, even after receiving a vaccine.
This means that it is important to take precautions such as staying home while you are sick – and getting help for the costs if necessary – keeping your hands and surfaces clean and considering distancing yourself from everyone you do not live with. .
Masks, preferably medical or surgical, are mandatory in indoor public settings in Ontario and Quebec and are recommended in crowded outdoor areas.
When and how long to isolate may vary in Quebec and Ontario and depending on vaccination status.
Health Canada recommends that older adults and people with underlying medical conditions get help with errands and have supplies if they need to be isolated.
Researchers are working to find out more about how easily the Omicron coronavirus variant spreads, its severity and the effectiveness of vaccines against it.
SE | Vaccine protection levels for the elderly:
New data collected in South Africa suggests that Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine is less effective in preventing infections caused by the omicron variant, but the shot is still useful in preventing hospitalization from the virus. 2:02
Trip
Travelers over the age of 12 and four months must now be fully vaccinated to board a plane, train or naval vessel in Canada.
The federal government officially discourages unnecessary international travel until at least January 12th.
The United States requires that anyone crossing a land, air or water border be fully vaccinated. People flying there must have proof of a negative COVID test within one day of departure.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents no longer need proof of a test when returning from travel to the United States in less than 72 hours.
The hope is that other countries will accept provincial or territorial proof of vaccination.
People must be fully vaccinated and pre-approved to enter Canada.
Due to the Omicron variant, air travelers from all countries except the United States must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and isolate themselves until they get results.
There are additional travel restrictions from a number of African countries due to Omicron.
Vaccines
Vaccines slow down the spread of all variants of COVID-19 and go a long way towards avoiding deaths and hospitalizations without offering total protection.
Four COVID-19 vaccines have been considered safe and approved in Canada with some age restrictions.
Health Canada has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children as young as five years old. Both local provinces generally recommend that doses for children aged five to 11 years be given at least eight weeks apart, with limited exceptions, such as being immunocompromised in Quebec.
SE | The latest data on Pfizer’s protection against Omicron:
Alberta and Quebec will soon make rapid COVID-19 tests available to the public, something several provinces and countries have been doing for months. But the tests remain expensive in Ontario despite calls to make them easier to access. 1:58
Ontario’s next third shot expansion comes January 4th and will make all adults eligible; Quebec plans to lower its age in January.
More than 3.9 million COVID-19 first, second and third vaccine doses have been administered in the wider Ottawa-Gatineau region, which has about 2.3 million inhabitants.
Eastern Ontario
Individuals born in 2016 and earlier can search for provincial appointments online or over the phone at 1-833-943-3900.
Local health care providers have some flexibility, so check their websites for details. Many offer pediatric clinics and doses at short notice, as campaigns appear to fill gaps in vaccine coverage and cover extended eligibility.
Wednesday, December 15 COVID-19 vaccination clinics in ALEXANDRIA and CASSELMAN. A limited number of walk-ins will be accepted. https://t.co/FQaSOG0er2 pic.twitter.com/fL0FWM5Peh
Pharmacies and some GPs offer vaccines through their own booking systems.
Western Quebec
Anyone who is five years and older can get an appointment or visit a fixed or mobile on-call clinic.
Clinics for children are in schools and children must have the written consent of a parent to be vaccinated there.
Siblings can be booked together for a single period of time, and parents can check a box to signal if their child is nervous.
Symptoms and tests
COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection with common symptoms including fever, cough, headache, vomiting and loss of taste or smell.
“Long-distance” symptoms can last for several months.
Call 911 if you have severe symptoms.
Mental health can also be affected by the pandemic, and resources are available to help.
In Eastern Ontario:
Ontario says to be tested by making an appointment at a clinic if you meet certain criteria. Ask your healthcare provider for clinic locations and opening hours.
Selected pharmacies test people with symptoms along with certain people without symptoms.
Rapid tests and home sampling are available at some locations, including Kingston’s family doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and some childcare environments when the risk is high. Students receive a package of test kits for the holiday holidays.
A positive rapid test will trigger a follow-up.
Travelers who need a test have local options to pay for one.
In western Quebec:
Tests are highly recommended for people with symptoms and their contacts.
People can make an appointment or see if they are near an option online. They can also call 1-877-644-4545 with questions during the hours the line is running.
Gargle tests are offered in some places instead of a cotton swab.
Rapid COVID-19 tests are available in all Quebec day care centers, kindergartens and elementary schools and now through pharmacies for the general population.
SE | The national quick test image:
First Nations, Inuit and Métis:
First Nations, Inuit and Métis people or anyone traveling to work in a remote native community are eligible for a test in Ontario.
Akwesasne has COVID-19 test and vaccine clinics, with information online or at 613-575-2341.
People in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg can call the health center at 819-449-5593 to get a test or vaccine; e-mail is another option for vaccine booking.
Tests are available in Pikwakanagàn by calling 613-625-1175 and vaccines (including third doses) at 613-625-2259 extension 225 or by email.
Anyone in Tyendinaga whoever is interested in a test can call 613-967-3603 and should see the website for dedicated vaccine clinics.
Inuit in Ottawa can call the Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team at 613-740-0999 for service, including testing and vaccines, at Inuktitut or English on weekdays.
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