What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Monday, March 23

Recent developments:

• OntarioandQuebecgovernments release lists of essential businesses that can remain open.
  • Full list of Quebec businesses.
  • Full list of Ontario businesses.
• Quebec, Ontario orderall non-essential businesses to close by Tuesday night.
• Premier Ford says he doesn't think schools can reopen April 6.
• Ontario, federal leaders call on travellers to go into isolation immediately upon return, not stop at stores.
• Eight new cases in region include onein hospital, oneyouth.
• Flights back to Canada from more countriesin the works for this week.
• Passengers without symptoms released from CFB Trenton tomorrow; 21 others stay longer.

What you should know

Ottawa Public Health continues to ask all residents to practise social distancing as much as possiblebecause people may be carrying the novel coronavirus without knowing it.

This meansstay home, limit the number of people you come into close contact with, avoid non-essential trips out, cancel gatherings and keep a two-metre distance from others.

The current recommendation from Ottawa Public Health is that time spent outdoors is fine so long as you keep your distance.

WATCH: Government will enforce social distancing if needed

Ontario orders closure of all non-essential businesses

5 years ago

Duration 0:41

Premier Doug Ford said the new measures will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 and will force the closure of all businesses deemed "non-essential."

But if you've recently leftthe country or have been in close contact with someone who has travelled, public health officials say to self-isolate for 14 days.

During self isolation, Ottawa Public Health asks that people stay inside their homes at all times.

That means asking neighbours, friends or family to pick up groceries, medications and other supplies. All deliveries should be left at the door to maintain a two-metre distance between yourself and others.

• Border town's mayor urges returning snowbirds to keep going, shop elsewhere

People who feel sick should also self-isolate at homefor 14 days or until 24 hours have passed after symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.

Monday, March 23, Ontario and Quebec announced all non-essential businesses had to close by midnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

Both provinces released lists of dozens of businesses Monday night that can remain open, including: grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, hotels, funeral homes, movers, insurance businesses and many others.

WATCH: Premier announcesbusiness closures

Quebec cracks down on gatherings with police enforcement

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Duration 1:49

The Quebec government has banned all indoor and outdoor gatherings to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus, allowing police to enforce the bans and hand out hefty fines.

Ontario Provincial Police said Friday officers willfine individuals or businesses that break the social distancing rules.

Quebec has also banned gatherings of more than two people and told residents not to travel within the province.

Watch: Police in Quebec can fine or jail those who don't follow COVID-19 rules

Ontario government launches online learning portal amid COVID-19 pandemic

5 years ago

Duration 0:59

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the new portal will contain math and literacy resources to help mitigate learning loss while schools are closed.

The federal government's $82-billion aid package should start rolling out in early April.

The Canada-U.S. borderclosedto non-essential travelovernight Friday, March 20. Illegal border crossings will be stopped.

More flights are being arranged for Canadians having issues leaving other countries.

Ontario is launching an e-learning program as its schools are closed until at least April 5. The premier said Monday, March 23 he didn't believe schools would resume at that time.

WATCH: How Ontario wants to help students online

Why gloves wont do much to protect you from COVID-19

5 years ago

Duration 1:54

Dr. Samir Gupta explains why most people are better off washing their hands with soap and water than wearing gloves for protection against COVID-19.

Public transit is still running, but with changes including rear-door boarding on buses and now on LRT trains,and less-frequent service.

Ottawa residents needing informationcan still call 311 and all essential servicessuch asgarbage and recycling collection, and some bylawservices, will continue.

Spread of COVID-19 in Ottawa

As of Sunday night, Ontario's Ministry of Health confirmed24people have now tested positive for COVID-19 in Ottawa,includingSophie Grgoire Trudeau,a City of Ottawa employee at 100 Constellation Dr., a Health Canada employee at Tunney's Pasture, two Ottawa Senatorsandthree employees of tech company Ciena in Kanata.

Ottawa Public Health said Monday morning 11cases initially tested positive, but are awaiting the results of a second test before being confirmed.

Ottawa's medical officer of health says computer models suggest 4,000 people in Ottawa have COVID-19, many without knowing it.

There are a total of 48cases in eastern Ontario including 13separated from the public at CFB Trenton and another eight confirmed cases in the Outaouais.

Ontario has 504confirmed cases of novel coronavirus eighthave had two negative tests in a row and are considered resolved and Quebec has628 presumptive and confirmed cases.

Twenty four deaths in Canada have been linked to COVID-19: sixin Ontario and four in Quebec.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from a very mild, cold-like illness to a severe lung infection. The most common symptoms include fever, fatigueand a dry cough.

Anyone who has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to wake up and bluish lips or face should go to the emergency room.

Older people, those with compromised immune systemsand those with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetesare more likely to develop serious illness.

WATCH: Why handwashing is more effective than gloves

COVID-19 screening centre opens in Hawkesbury

5 years ago

Duration 0:53

Dr. Suzanne Filion, with the Hawkesbury General Hospital, is urging only those who qualify for testing to show up at the new screening centre, something that can be determined by completing the self-assessment questionnaire on the Eastern Ontario Health Unit's website.

The coronavirusprimarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The virus can also spread through close, prolonged contact, like touching or handshaking, andit can spread from person to person via surfaces like door handles, mobile phones, tables and light switches.

That's why washing hands thoroughlyand keeping surfaces clean, along with social distancing, can help stop its spread.

Important links and contacts

Anyone in Ottawa who has a new or worsening cough or feverand hastravelled outside Canada, orhas been in contact with a confirmed case, should go to the COVID-19 screening centre at the Brewer Arena.

If you don't have symptoms, you won't be tested and should self-isolate for 14 days.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911.

• CBC EXPLAINS | Understanding COVID-19 testing in Ottawa

The centre is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at151 Brewer Way, off Bronson Avenue near Carleton University. It's unique because you don't have to call ahead.

In western Quebec:

Gatineau'sdowntown assessment location is at 135 Blvd. Saint-Raymond.

Anyone who's left the country should self-isolate for 14 days and call the regional helpline at 819-644-4545if they have a cough or fever.

If your symptoms require a trip to the emergency room, call ahead to that number if your condition allows to let them know your travel history.

In eastern Ontario outside Ottawa:

Kingston, Ont.

The assessment centre in Kingston is now at theKingston Memorial Centreat 303 York St.It is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Kingston's public health unit says tocheck its websitefor information and call Telehealthwith any remaining questions.

Winchester, Ont.

On Friday, theWinchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH), located in Winchester, Ont., announced it ispreparinga COVID-19 Assessment Centre, with the help of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU).

The hope is the facility will never haveto be used, the hospital wrote in a release.

"There is no planned opening date as WDMH is currently seeing a very small number of patients with COVID-19 symptoms," the release states.

Hawkesbury, Ont.

Hawkesbury,Ont., is opening an assessment centre on Monday, March 23.The centre will be located at750 Laurier St. and open from9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

WATCH: A look at the new Hawkesbury clinic

The EOHU is also collaborating with local emergency medical services to implement a special"Community Paramedic Program" in preparation for a potential increase in COVID-19 cases inthe area.

"The new program aims to provide faster access to testing and assessments forindividuals who are at higher risk, such as seniors and people with underlying health conditions,while reducing the strain on 911 services and hospital emergency rooms,"he EOHUwrote in a statement.

First Nations communities

The Mohawk communitiesof Akwesasne and Mohawks of the Bay of Quintehavedeclared a state of emergency to prepare for possible cases.

The Algonquin communities ofKitigan Zibi and Pikwakanaganhave scaled back non-essential services and are asking residents to follow general public health advice.

Other communities

Renfrew County is providing home testing under some circumstances.

Its public health unit says people shouldonly call 613-735-8654 ext.577 if they have symptoms and have returned to Canada within 14 days.

The public health unitin the Belleville, Ont., area isasking people only call it at 613-966-5500if they've checked thewebsite and still have questions.

The same advice goes for Leeds, Grenville and Lanark's unit at 613-345-5685.

The province generally advises people experiencing symptoms to first callTelehealth at1-866-797-0000, thentheir local health unit.

For more information, visit:

• Ottawa Public Health,
• your localeastern Ontario health unit,
• the Ontario Ministry of Health(in several languages), including theirself-assessment tool.
• the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• the Centre intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais(in French).