The number of flu cases declined again last week, according to the latest data issued by Public Health in Ottawa (OPH), and the number of respiratory syncytial virus cases also decreased. While levels of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus remain high, they are more moderate compared to the generally high and stable levels of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the number of respiratory-related emergency room visits and overall emergency room visits in the city decreased for three consecutive weeks.

Experts recommend that people with cough wear masks, maintain hand hygiene and clean frequently touched surfaces; stay home when sick, and keep up with COVID and flu vaccinations to help protect themselves and other vulnerable people.

Public Health says that healthcare institutions in the city remain at high risk of respiratory diseases, as they have been since the end of August, and this situation is expected to continue until at least March.

Spread in Ottawa

There has been a significant adjustment in the recent average data for coronavirus in Ottawa last week.

The capital recorded its highest average for 2023 on New Year's Eve, then it appeared to decline significantly based on last week's statement, as these data now indicate that Ottawa reached the second highest average and highest daily reading ever on January 12, and as of January 22, it has slightly decreased from that peak, having generally risen for more than six months.

Public Health (OPH) explained that the data signal is very high, and the city's weekly average test positivity rate is stable at 15 percent, which Public Health still considers high.

Hospitalizations, outbreaks, and deaths

Last week, Ottawa's average number of local hospital residents due to COVID-19 was stable at 49.

Also, a separate and broader count—which includes patients who tested positive for coronavirus after admission for other reasons, or were admitted due to ongoing COVID complications, or were transferred from other health units—fell to its lowest level since October.

Public Health considers the number of new COVID-related hospitalizations in the city—43—to be high, and the active number of COVID outbreaks remains stable at 25, most of them in long-term care or retirement homes, with a large number of new outbreaks.

The unit reported 264 additional COVID cases and five more COVID deaths last week. All victims were people aged 80 or older.

The next vaccination update from Public Health is expected on Monday.

After nearly four years, Public Health in Ottawa said it will also end the COVID dashboard next month, while respiratory updates will continue.

Across the region

The Kingston area health unit says it is also in the midst of a severe period for respiratory diseases, while COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus data are all stable: coronavirus and influenza at higher levels and respiratory syncytial virus appearing lower.

A big picture assessment conducted by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) classifies overall respiratory risks as moderate and stable.

The Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) Public Health, like Ottawa, provides a weekly average of hospital COVID cases. This number fell again to 18, and flu activity there is considered low.

In western Quebec, 51 stable hospital patients have tested positive for coronavirus, and the province reported another COVID death there.

HPE reported five more COVID deaths in its weekly update, while EOHU and Kingston area each reported three others, and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) reported two more.

LGL data goes up to January 14, when trends were generally high and low. The next update from Renfrew County is expected later Thursday.