The chief doctor in Ottawa urged people to limit their close contacts and social interactions outdoors as COVID-19 levels remain very high in the capital.

The medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, said wastewater monitoring in Ottawa shows there is "more COVID in the community than ever before," and everyone needs to take steps to reduce its spread.
 

Etches said during an interview on Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Christie Cameron, to make sure we really think about limiting the number of close contacts we have again. 

She added, "There are good reasons to socialize and meet, but people need to be cautious about the number of people gathering at one time, avoid crowds, avoid tight spaces, so take things outdoors as much as possible.

Explaining that "mask-wearing is still something I strongly recommend because we have high levels of infections in the community."

Etches had given similar advice to Ottawa residents during every wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, urging residents to limit their social contacts to reduce the spread of the epidemic.

While there are currently no limits on the number of indoor and outdoor gatherings and mask mandates have been lifted for most indoor gatherings, Etches urges people to be cautious due to the levels of COVID-19 found in Ottawa’s wastewater.

Etches said, "We know it really tells us that we have more COVID in the community than ever before, so our chances of encountering the virus are higher."

It is worth noting that Ontario lifted mandatory mask mandates in all indoor public places on March 21, and the COVID-19 vaccine passport ended in February. 

For her part, Cameron asked Etches what her message was to residents who might be confused about the call to limit their close contacts with COVID-19 restrictions lifted and high vaccination rates in Ottawa.

Etches said Wednesday afternoon: "Think about where the risks are higher: indoors." “It is indoors where people socialize, where masks are removed.” 

She added, "So, you really have to be careful about the number of close contacts in these places. These are individual choices we make regarding how many people we interact with indoors."

People know their own risks, and it is important for people to understand that the chances of contacting COVID are now definitely higher.
 

Etches pointed out that people will make their own decisions about limiting contacts based on their level of risk."

The medical officer of health said: "People will make their own decisions about this based on their level of risk."

Those who are fully vaccinated, you know with a third dose, younger people - have less severe risk of illness."

As for those who have more serious health conditions, they may need to be cautious.

Etches said it is also important to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, so choosing the outdoors is always a safer option. 

There is no fixed number now as people have different risks."

Etches pointed out that if everyone in the community wears masks in indoor places, it will protect vulnerable individuals in the community during this wave of the pandemic.