COVID-19 infections increasing in Ottawa

By Anil Jhalli

Only 56 per cent of residents in the capital have received their third doses of any of the COVID-19 vaccines. 

That's the number that Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Keith Egli, who also serves as the chair of Ottawa's board of health, told The Rob Snow Show with guest host Derick Fage on Tuesday, June 21, adding the number is concerning considering Ottawa Public Health (OPH) revealed that COVID-19 infections are on the rise in Ottawa during a board of health meeting on Monday, June 20. 

He noted that numbers for first and second doses in Ottawa were very high, and among the highest across the province of Ontario. 

“At 56 per cent, there's room for improvement,” said Coun. Egli. “Certainly, we are in a much better place than we were the last time we saw surges happening, and our clinics are open. We are ready and willing to provide vaccines.”

Coun. Egli said he understands that people are tired after more than two years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“People want to do normal things,” he added. “Don't lock yourself in your basement. Address the risk factors around you.”

During Monday's board of health meeting, Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa's medical officer of health, said COVID-19 infections in Ottawa are increasing based on rising wastewater levels, an increase in positive cases among those being tested, and a high level of outbreaks in institutional settings. 

OPH is updating its COVID-19 dashboard on Tuesdays and Fridays after more than two years of providing daily updates. Dr. Etches said OPH can't confirm which variants are behind the latest surge in cases, but points to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants as likely causes. 

The latest rise in cases from OPH comes at a time when nearly all provincial mask mandates have been lifted, except in long-term care homes. Hospitals across the capital, including CHEO, the Montfort Hospital and the Ottawa Hospital campuses have all stated that masking mandates will remain to protect staff and patients. 

Dr. Etches supports masking indoors where physical distancing is an issue. 

“We are in a better place in terms of population immunity than we have been, but we know the pandemic is definitely not over,” Dr. Etches said. 

Listen to the full interview with Coun. Keith Egli below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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