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The current pandemic situation in our city continues to evolve as we receive almost daily announcements from the Province and Ottawa Public Health.
With Ottawa in the midst of a second wave of the pandemic, there are unfortunate impacts on plans for upcoming holidays, changes to City enforcement regulations, and a renewed call on all of us to take the necessary precautions to once again plank the curve, and stop the spread of this virus.
I recognize how difficult this can be for everyone and how important it is to have the most up-to-date information on hand. Therefore, I have compiled a list of sources where you can find the latest information regarding COVID-19 and our community.
New Provincial Public Health Measures and Testing Criteria
On October 2, 2020, the Province of Ontario announced several new public health restrictions and testing criteria. For more information, visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/.
Ottawa Public Health is also providing Ottawa-specific updates on its website: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx
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East End Care Clinic, Pharmacies, and Testing Centres
Hôpital Montfort, working with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Ottawa Public Health, is in the process of opening a COVID-19 Care Clinic at the Ray Friel Community Centre, on 1585 Tenth Line Rd. Hôpital Montfort’s intent is to have the Clinic operational by mid-October.
For more information regarding testing in Orléans:
https://hopitalmontfort.com/en/montfort-manage-covid-19-care-clinic-orleans
As more information regarding the COVID-19 Care Clinic at Ray Friel becomes available I will be updating my website at:
https://lauradudas.ca/coronavirus/
For more information regarding Ottawa testing centres:
https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/shared-content/assessment-centres.aspx
COVID-19 Pharmacy Testing Locations:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/58491/ontario-expands-covid-19-testing-to-pharmacies-1
Ontario Testing Centre Locations:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-test-and-testing-location-information
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Resources for Families with Children in School or Daycare
Ottawa Public Health has created a web page with supports and resources for families with school-age children or children in daycare settings:
https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/covid-19-and-schools.aspx
Daily COVID-19 School or Daycare Screening Tool: https://secureforms.ottawapublichealth.ca/School-Health-Sante-scolaire/COVID-19-Screening-Tool-for-Students
Attestation Letter for Return to School for Students Following Illness:
https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/resources/Student-Return-to-School-Attestation.pdf
Mental Health Supports
This has been a very difficult time for everyone. If you feel that your mental health has been negatively impacted, please reach out to any of the following:
YSB Youth Crisis Line: 613-260-2360 | online chat: chat.ysb.ca
Mental Health Crisis Line: 613-722-6914,
Kids Help Phone: 800-668-6868 (crisis line)
Good2Talk Post-Secondary Student Helpline: 1-866-925-5454
Hope for Wellness Help Line 24/7: 1-855-242-3310
Distress Centre Ottawa and Region: 613-238-3311
BounceBackHuddle Care: Online Peer Support Group
For more information regarding mental health supports:
Ottawa Public Health Mental Health and COVID-19:
https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/mental-health-and-covid-19.aspx
Province of Ontario Mental Health and Wellbeing:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-people#section-4
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COVID-19 Ottawa Databases
Ottawa Public Health is sharing detailed data regularly regarding COVID-19 and its presence in our community.
A summary of COVID-19 outbreaks in Ottawa healthcare, childcare and educational establishments:
https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=5b24f70482fe4cf1824331d89483d3d3
Mapping of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by Ward and by Neighbourhood:
https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/mapping-products.aspx
Resources for Seniors
COVID-19 has presented many challenges for seniors, including accessing groceries, prescriptions, and getting to medical appointments. On my website, a list has been compiled of meal delivery services, transportation for groceries/medical appointments, grocery/prescription delivery, and phone check-in services. Visit https://lauradudas.ca/covid19-seniors/ for more information.
COVID Alert Mobile App
The Federal Government has developed the COVID Alert App that can let people know about a possible exposure before showing any symptoms.
For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html
An Explanation of Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act
In response to the significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Ottawa, Dr. Vera Etches, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa Public Health (OPH), invoked a Class Order under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
This means that any person who:
(a) are identified as a person diagnosed with COVID-19;
(b) have the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting the results of their test;
(c) otherwise have reasonable grounds to believe they have one or more symptoms of COVID-19; or
(d) are a close contact* of a person identified in (a), (b) or (c).
These individuals must remain in isolation for 14 days, unless COVID-19 is ruled out, and they must do everything they can to avoid exposing other people to COVID-19. Individuals who fail to comply with this order can be fined up to $5,000 per day.
For more information, visit: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/resources/Documents/Class-Section-22-Order-September-22-2020.pdf
As always, I am available to assist you and your family during this difficult time and continue to provide updates regarding the pandemic and city-matters on my website at laura dudas.ca. You can contact me directly by email at Laura.Dudas@ottawa.ca or by phone at 613-580-2472.
Stay well,
Laura Dudas
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