With another area exiting the high-risk respiratory season, Ottawa remains.

The weekly respiratory update from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) again presents a stable picture, with some very high influenza trends compared to low to moderate COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus levels.

Experts recommend that people cover their coughs, wear masks, maintain hand and frequently touched surface hygiene, stay home when sick, and keep up with COVID and flu vaccines to help protect themselves and vulnerable individuals.

OPH explained that the city’s healthcare institutions remain at high risk for respiratory diseases, as they have been since the end of August. This will remain the case until respiratory trends decline again.

In Ottawa

The average wastewater from coronavirus in Ottawa remained stable for about three weeks as of March 4.

OPH's report said the level is moderate, with an average weekly test positivity rate in the city of eight percent, which is low.

OPH considers the number of new COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the city to be low, with active coronavirus outbreaks decreasing to six, and a moderate number of new outbreaks occurring.

The monthly COVID-19 vaccination update from OPH states that 23 percent of eligible residents have received the latest vaccine since its rollout began in mid-September 2023, an increase of 1 percent from last month.

This does not account for immunity from infection.

After nearly four years, OPH has ended the COVID dashboard, and much of the information is now reflected in OPH’s respiratory updates. It said that open COVID data will continue to be updated and dashboard data will be archived.

The province still shares data related to COVID deaths, but there is a greater delay than OPH reports. Ontario data cover up to February 24 and were reflected in last week’s final OPH dashboard update.

Across the region

The Kingston area health unit says it is no longer in a high-risk respiratory period for the first time since October. Specifically, respiratory outbreaks, as well as various wastewater trends, have decreased.

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

The weekly average of COVID-related hospitalizations at Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) public health dropped to four. Influenza activity there is considered low.

There are 24 stable hospitalized patients in Western Quebec confirmed to have coronavirus.

Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark (LGL) data go up to February 25, when trends were stable or decreasing. The next Renfrew County update is expected Thursday.