Ottawa Public Health wants to be briefed by province before COVID-19-related announcements

By Alex Goudge

A new report from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) suggests local health units in the province have been kept in the dark by the Ontario government, amid the nearly year-long pandemic response.

According to the report, the pandemic has demonstrated the need for local and regional adaptation to ensure both residents and health partners are aware of the impact COVID-19 has on their communities.

One of the main issues highlighted in the report is the difficulty associated with communicating and fielding questions from the public, relating to new restrictions or regulations, when local authorities and the general public both receive the information at the same time.

In response, OPH is calling on the Ontario government to hold technical briefings with local health units ahead of any major public announcements. 

The health unit feels more comprehensive and timely central guidance would avoid the need for locally developed resources from individual public health units.

OPH also claims another issue that arose during the provincial pandemic response is that the restrictions or regulations are either inconsistent, contradictory or lack evidence.

The report is slated to be presented to Ottawa's Board of Health on February 8.
 

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