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Published: February 1, 2024
The COVID-19 picture has improved across the main categories, according to the latest data released by Ottawa Public Health (OPH), with most key numbers declining for the first time since August, while data indicates that respiratory syncytial virus trends are moving from low to medium, and from stable to low.
Flu levels in wastewater and flu-related hospitalizations remain high. According to the update, hospitalizations are the only indicator that has risen.
Experts recommend people cover their nose and mouth when coughing, wear masks, keep hands and frequently touched surfaces clean, stay home when sick, and stay up to date with COVID and flu vaccines to help protect themselves and others at risk.
Public Health confirmed that healthcare institutions in the city remain at high risk for respiratory illnesses, as they have been since the end of August, and this situation is expected to continue until at least March.
In Ottawa
The recent average COVID-19 wastewater levels in Ottawa decreased as of January 29, nearly three weeks after the mid-month peak.
It had generally been rising for more than six months, and Public Health confirmed the wastewater indicator is declining, and the city's weekly test positivity average dropped to 13 percent, which OPH now considers moderate.
OPH also considers the number of new COVID-related hospitalizations in the city – 30 – to be moderate, which is also lower than the peak.
The number of active COVID-19 outbreaks remains stable at 26, most in long-term care or retirement homes, with a moderate number of new outbreaks.
The health unit reported 177 new COVID cases and four additional COVID deaths in the past week. All victims were aged 80 or older.
The next OPH vaccination update is now expected next week.
After nearly four years, OPH said it will also retire the COVID dashboard sometime this month. Much of the information is now reflected in Public Health’s respiratory updates, which said open COVID data will continue to be updated.
Across the region
The Kingston area health unit indicated it is also in the midst of a severe period for respiratory illnesses, with COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus pictures all stable: coronavirus and flu at higher levels and respiratory syncytial virus appearing lower.
The big picture risk assessment conducted by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) rates the overall respiratory risks as moderate and stable.
Like Ottawa, Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) Public Health provides a weekly average of hospitalized COVID cases, which dropped again to nine, and flu activity there is seen as low.
Renfrew County trends are generally decreasing.
The number of Western Quebec hospitalized patients confirmed with COVID decreases to 46. The province reported three additional COVID deaths there.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) health unit reported four more COVID deaths there, while the Kingston area increased by three deaths, and HPE increased by one.
The Renfrew County health unit reported two more deaths, bringing the total deaths to over 100. The entire region has surpassed 2,700 of these deaths.
LGL data goes up to January 21, when its trends were generally high and low.
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