Easter Weekend and Provincial Shutdown Message from Ottawa Public Health nurses

Thank you for all your efforts to protect your residents and community.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) would like to take this opportunity to remind staff and students the importance of remaining COVIDwise as you prepare for the Easter holiday. We recognize that Easter represents a time for celebration amongst family and friends and that celebrations, again, are going to look and feel different this year.

Due to the increasing amount of community spread we are facing, we are urging everyone to find alternative ways to celebrate that reduce risks and keep all of us as safe as possible. Invite family members to your dinner table safely by hosting a virtual dinner. Find ways to start new traditions, have a bake-off to showcase everyone’s cooking skills. Need more tips and ideas on how to celebrate safely – visit our SocialWise page. Although vaccinations are well underway, most of our community members are not yet immunized – this means that high-risk activities and non-essential travelling should be avoided. Refrain from gatherings outside of your households as we know this is where the virus spreads. Stay vigilant by limiting contacts, remembering to always keep a 2 metres (6 feet) distance from others, and that we recommend mask use at all times. Protect vulnerable members of your family, don’t bring the virus home.

Understanding Gathering Limits

As you may have heard, the Province of Ontario is set to enter a 4-week, Province-wide, emergency brake shutdown at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 3. We would also invite you to read the Province’s new release and be aware of new restrictions and gathering limits.

We have identified problem areas with private gatherings such as parties, barbecues, after-work-get-togethers, and team sports where our current public health measures like physical distancing and mask wearing are not being followed. We are seeing transmission among all age groups, however, of much concern, the majority of transmission is occurring in the 20 to 29 age group with a recorded increase in hospitalization in this age group. This is especially concerning since this age group is not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at this time.

 

Staff and students should only be gathering with members of their immediate household such as family members and/or roommates living in the same house and that neighbors should not be considered part of the household. However, if someone lives alone, one or two essential support person/people (that can be neighbors) may be necessary to ensure people do not feel isolated. OPH would like to remind everyone that outdoor gatherings, when possible, are safer and to ensure that physical distancing (2 metres/ 6 feet) is maintained. We strongly recommend individuals wear masks in outdoor spaces, even if physical distancing can be maintained.

 

This is a clear message that Ottawa residents need to do their part by taking action to keep the COVID-19 levels low and until our immunity levels are higher through vaccinations.

 

We would also invite you to read the latest Special Statement from Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa. Please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus for up-to-date information, including the current status of public health measures in Ottawa.

 

What you can do to reduce risks

 

Screening

We all have a responsibility to assess the risks to ourselves, our families and others when deciding to attend in-person gatherings (like Easter dinner). If choosing to gather in-person, it is very important that anyone coming to a location – be that an organized campus event or a private dwelling – use a screening process to reduce the risk of transmission. If anyone is feeling sick, please remember to stay at home and get tested for COVID-19.

 

OPH has developed two new screening posters that can be used to help facilitate the screening process for anyone accessing on campus services. Staff can provide employers with proof of completion and students and visitors can utilize the tool to complete self-screening. For those who do not have a mobile device, the QR codes can be paired with a hard copy questionnaire. We also have the screening tools available in various languages.

 

Food

We understand that Easter celebrations often involve food, however, sharing meals is strongly discouraged at this time and should be substituted where possible. Please ensure that no food or drinks are shared, and pre-portion if needed.

Carpooling

Ottawa Public Health recommends residents to carpool only with members of their households. If you chose to carpool with individuals outside of your household, OPH recommends wearing a mask, sitting in a way to increase distance between passengers if possible, and opening the windows if weather permits.

 

Download the COVID Alert App

Slow the spread of the virus by downloading the COVIDAlert app. If you have the COVID Alert app on your cell phone you will get notified if you have been a close contact (within 2 metres/6 feet, for more than 15 minutes) of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 also using the app and will be provided with instructions on next steps.

Vaccine Update

We also know there are many questions about vaccination. On Monday March 22, the province released guidance that provides more direction on vaccine prioritization for phase 2 including more clarity on health conditions, vaccinations in congregate settings, hotspot communities and what constitutes as an essential worker.

 

OPH continues to update our COVID-19 vaccine web page where you can find up-to-date information, eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions, and more as it relates to the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Get COVID-19 Vaccine updates in your inbox

To make finding vaccine information a little easier, the City of Ottawa has created the COVID-19 Vaccine Update e-subscription. Sign up today and you’ll receive the latest updates on vaccine distribution in the city, delivered to your inbox. It will also include a weekly roundup of COVID-19 and vaccine-related information every Friday.

 

All residents, even those who are not yet eligible for the vaccine, are encouraged to register for the e-subscription. It will keep you informed on:

  • who is eligible for the vaccine
  • where clinics are held
  • how and when you can schedule an appointment
  • the latest vaccine information

 

To sign up for the e-subscription, make sure you choose the first item: COVID-19 Vaccine Update. Alternatively, you can choose City News to receive information on all programs and services at the City of Ottawa, including COVID-19 and vaccination updates. If you have already signed up for City News, you do not need to sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Update. Visit the City’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution page for more information and check out our FAQs page for answers to questions frequently asked by residents.

 

Mental Health and Substance Use Resources

It is normal for situations like COVID-19 to affect your mental health. Everyone will experience these events in their own way, and it is very natural to feel stress and be concerned about the impacts of COVID-19.  Now more than ever, it is important to practice positive coping skills and support one another.

NEW - ONLINE PORTAL to access mental health and substance use services and resources for our Region. Don’t forget to visit OPH’s Mental Health and COVID-19 webpage for new information and access to services.

 

We want to again thank you for your daily contributions in helping keep our community safe. Have a safe and wonderful holiday from your homes to ours we wish you all a very happy Easter!

 

Sincerely,

Your Ottawa Public Health nurses.