Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page - Ottawa Public Health

[David Baxter PhD]

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page - Ottawa Public Health
Retrieved March 16, 2020, from the Ottawa Public Health website

IMPORTANT: Please read the following text CAREFULLY before considering calling Ottawa Public Health (OPH) or seeking healthcare. You DO NOT need a phone assessment by OPH to access appropriate care based on the information below.

If this is a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately and do not read further.

Please note: in order to decrease transmission of COVID-19 in Ottawa, Ottawa Public Health is now recommending that all residents of Ottawa practice social distancing.

The priority of the healthcare system is being able to test those who are most in need. Not everyone requires testing. People WITHOUT respiratory symptoms (such as fever or cough) will NOT be tested for COVID-19, regardless of potential exposures.

Even if you do not have symptoms, it is recommended to self-isolate for 14 days if:

• You have travelled anywhere outside of Canada (including the United States of America).
• You live with, provided care for, or spent extensive time with someone who has:
  • Tested positive for COVID-19, OR is suspected to have COVID-19, OR who has respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath) that started within 14 days of travel outside of Canada.

If you have MILD symptoms, where you are NOT short of breath and can manage symptoms reasonably at home

• Do NOT call Ottawa Public Health
• Self-isolate until 24 hours AFTER symptoms have FULLY resolved

NOTE: Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own at home

For employees, if your employer requires a sick note please send them this letter from Ottawa Public Health. For employers, please visit our COVID-19 info page for workplaces.

If you have ESCALATING SYMPTOMS such as a new or worsening cough and/or fever, AND have either travelled outside of Canada or been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days:

• Do NOT call Ottawa Public Health
• Children under 6 months of age meeting this criteria should be taken to CHEO
• Visit the COVID-19 Assessment Centre (see below for more info) – you do NOT need a referral from Ottawa Public Health OR
• Call your health care provider (if available)
• If the COVID-19 Assessment Centre and your health care provider are both closed, go to the hospital emergency department and pay attention to special signage

If you have SEVERE SYMPTOMS (you have frequent shortage of breath and cannot manage your symptoms at home)

• If this is a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately
• go to the hospital emergency department and pay attention to special signage

Please note: the Government of Canada has issued a Global Travel Advisory. They are advising Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice. Learn more here.

What is the current situation in Ottawa?

Stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 developments by following Ottawa Public Health on Twitter and Facebook

March 15, 2020 (8:15pm) - Statement from Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health, on COVID-19 situation in Ottawa

March 15, 2020 - Statement from Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health, on COVID-19 situation in Ottawa

March 14, 2020 - Statement from Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health, on COVID-19 situation in Ottawa

March 13, 2020 - Statement from Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health, on COVID-19 situation in Ottawa

March 12, 2020 - Statement from Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health, on COVID-19 situation in Ottawa

March 11, 2020 - Ottawa Public Health confirms first confirmed case of COVID-19

Every day at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET, the Province of Ontario's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) web page will be updated with the most up-to-date information including the status of cases in Ontario.

How is Ottawa Public Health monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation?

Ottawa Public Health is following the lead of the Ontario Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario, and the Public Health Agency of Canada in responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Ottawa Public Health has a strong partnership with local hospitals who have put measures in place to screen individuals who are suspected of being infected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Please read signs and follow all instructions when visiting a hospital.

The Ministry of Health has added novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a designated disease reportable under Ontario's public health legislation. Now, physicians, hospitals and other care facilities will be required to report a suspected or confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to their local Medical Officer of Health.

When new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are identified in Ottawa, Ottawa Public Health works with the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario Laboratory, and local hospitals in the management of the case and any contacts.

How Can You Prevent the Spread of Germs?

To reduce the spread of germs including the flu and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) we recommend that you:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
• If possible, stay home if you are sick
• Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick
• It is still recommended to get your flu shot if you haven't already as the flu virus is still circulating in the community
• Consider social distancing (ideally 2 metres)

Learn more on how to stop the spread of germs

Frequently asked questions

Updated questions and answers can be found on the Government of Canada's COVID-19 webpage.

About COVID-19

Symptoms and treatment

Prevention and risks

Travel advice

Questions from the Ottawa community

How is the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnosed?

What can members of the public (including schools and workplaces) do to protect themselves?

Are there any confirmed cases in Ontario?

What is Ottawa Public Health doing in response to this situation?

What are Canadian public health officials doing in response to this situation?

When will I need to self-isolate/stay at home?

Why do healthcare providers wear masks?

As an employer, what do I need to do to prevent the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Should healthcare workers who have travelled to China go back to work upon their return?

How do I pick up a returning traveller from an affected area from the airport? Are there precautions I should take?

Who can returning travellers call if they need mental health supports in Ottawa?


Print resource and handwashing signage

• Information sheet (available in multiple languages)
  • The Ministry of Health has developed an information sheet about the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) to inform Ontarians about the virus, how they can protect themselves and what to do if they think they have contracted the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Stay home when you are sick factsheet - [pdf - 249 KB]
• Public Health Agency of Canada- Novel Coronavirus- multilingual poster

Hand hygiene resources

Web resources

• Ontario Ministry of Health - Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCOv)
• Public Health Agency of Canada, 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection (Wuhan, China): Outbreak update
• Hosting, postponing or cancelling mass gatherings
• Government of Canada - Novel Coronavirus in China
• Government of Canada - Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak
• Government of Canada - Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada
• U.S. Center for Disease Control - 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Wuhan, China
• World Health Organization - Coronavirus
• Public Health Ontario - Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV (for Health Care Providers)
• Public Health Guidance for Schools (K-12) and Childcare Programs (COVID-19)
• World Health Organization - Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
• World Health Organization- Coping with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak
• World Health Organization- Helping children cope with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak

In addition to Canada's standard measures to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases in Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada are implementing additional measures. These include messaging on arrival screens at the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver international airports, reminding travelers to inform a Border Services Officer if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, and an additional health screening question to be added to electronic kiosks.The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. They are in close contact with the World Health Organization to assess any potential risk to Canadians.