What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 14

Recent developments:

• Ottawa reports zeroCOVID-19 cases for the second time in three days.
• Ontario updates testing guidelines for long-term care homes.
• Some doctors sayQuebec ERs are "on the verge of a breakdown."

What's the latest?

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported no moreCOVID-19 cases or deathsWednesday for the second time in three daily reports. Sixty per cent of its adults and 50 per cent of its total population are now fully vaccinated.

The city's deputy medical officer of health, Dr. Brent Moloughney, said Wednesday the city's trends suggest it's readyto move to Step 3 of Ontario's reopening plan Friday.

He said it's important to keep ahead of the virus by following guidance and getting vaccinated, pointing tosurges in cases and hospitalizationselsewhere.

Staff, caregivers and visitors who have been fully immunized with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine and show no symptoms of the illness will no longer need to be tested before entering a long-term care facility in Ontario as of Friday.

A growing number of emergency rooms in Quebec are struggling to care for patients as hospitals deal with severe staffing shortages caused by nurses fed up with pandemic working conditions.

How many cases are there?

As of Wednesday,27,730Ottawa residents havetested positive for COVID-19.There are 25known active cases, 27,113 cases consideredresolved, and 592cases where people have died.

Public health officials have reported more than 50,200 COVID-19 cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including more than 49,100 resolved cases.

Elsewhere in eastern Ontario, 196 people have died. In western Quebec, the death toll is 215.

Akwesasnehas had nearly 700residents test positive and 10 deathsbetween its northern and southern sections.

Kitigan Zibi has had 34 cases and one death. Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has had 11, with one death. Pikwakanagan hasn't had any.

CBC Ottawa is profiling those who've died of COVID-19. If you'd like to share your loved one's story, please get in touch.

What can I do?

Eastern Ontario:

Ontario is inStep 2 of its reopening plan,which broughtback activities such assmall indoor gatherings with people who don't live together and personal care services.

Up to 25 people can gather outside, including to play sports.

The restrictions will loosen further on Fridaywhen the province moves to Step 3, bringing back activities such as indoor dining and gyms and allowing larger gatherings.

• What you can do in Ottawa and Gatineau starting Friday
• Sports teams, festivals prepare to welcome back thousands of spectators

A detailed plan for the next school year is in the works, according to the education minister.

Western Quebec

Western Quebec is now undergreen zone restrictions, the lowest on the province'sfour-colour scale. Its distancing length is now one metre.

Ten people are allowed to gatherinside private residences and 20 people outdoors which increases to 50 if playing sports.Organized games are permitted outdoors again and gyms are open.

People can eat both indoors and outdoors at restaurants and bars.

Personal care services and non-essential businesses remain open. As many as 3,500 people can gather in a large theatre or arena and atoutdoor festivals.

Distancing and isolating

The novel coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets thatcan hang in the air.

People can be contagious without symptoms, even after getting a vaccine. Coronavirus variants of concernaremore contagious and areestablished.

This means it isimportantto take precautions now and in the futurelikestaying home while sick and getting help with costs if needed keeping hands and surfaces clean and maintaining distance from anyone you don't live with, even with a mask on.

Masks, preferably ones that fit snugly and havethree layers, aremandatory in indoor public settingsin Ontarioand Quebecand recommended in crowded outdoor areas.

There'sfederal guidance for what vaccinated people can do in different situations.

• The hug is back for the fully vaccinated, with added benefits.

Fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residentscan nowskip the 14-day quarantine. Peoplehaveto show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter Canada by land without a fine.

Health Canada recommends older adults and people with underlying medical conditionsgethelp with errands.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate, as should those who've beenordered to do so by their public health unit. The length of self-isolation varies inQuebecandOntario.

Vaccines

Four COVID-19 vaccines havebeen deemed safe and approvedin Canada. Three are in use.

Canada's task force sayspeople can wait up to 16 weeks between doses. Supply and the more infectious delta variant are some of the factors pushing provinces to speed that up.

That same task force says it's safe and effective to mix first and second doses.

WATCH | Evidence still shows mixing vaccines is safe:

COVID-19: What we know about mixing vaccines

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Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch explains comments from the World Health Organization about COVID-19 vaccines taken out of context and what health experts know about mixing vaccines.

There is evidence giving a second dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine offers better protection for people who got a first AstraZeneca-Oxford shot; both Ontario and Quebecare giving people who got a first AstraZeneca dose the option to get a second of the same kind.

More than 2.7million doseshave been given outin the Ottawa-Gatineau regionsince mid-December, includingmore than 1.2millionin Ottawa and more than400,000 in western Quebec.

Eastern Ontario

Ontario isvaccinating anyone age12 or older.

Peoplecanlook for provincialappointments opening uponlineor over the phone at 1-833-943-3900. Pharmacies continue to offer vaccines through their own booking systems, as do some family doctors.

The province is expected to shift its strategy in the coming weeks to better serve people who haven't had a first dose yet.

These bookings depend on the supply being sent to health units.

Local health units haveflexibilityin the larger framework, including around booking,so check their websitesfor details. They offer standby lists for doses on short noticealong with some walk-inclinics.

Western Quebec

Quebec isvaccinating anyone 12 and older.

Its goal is to provide second doses four weeks after the first. All adults canbook under that timeline, while eligible children have to wait eight weeks.

People who qualify can make an appointment online or over the phoneor visit one of itspermanent and mobile walk-in clinics.

People may have to show proof of being fully vaccinatedtoaccess certain services if there is an autumn surge of cases.

Symptoms and testing

COVID-19can range from a cold-like illnessto a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a cough, vomitingand loss of taste or smell. Recently, a runny nose and headache have become more common.

Children tend to have an upset stomach and/or a rash.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911.

Mental healthcan also beaffected by the pandemic,andresources are available to help.

In eastern Ontario:

Anyone seeking a testshouldmake an appointment. Check with yourhealth unit for clinic locations and hours.

Ontariorecommends only getting testedif you fit certain criteria, such as having symptoms, exposure or a certain job.

WATCH | Health-care worker says access to testing centres important:

Should COVID-19 testing sites remain open as cases fall? Why this resident says yes

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Aidan Fritz, who works in health-care, says its good to have access to a testing centre to rule out a COVID-19 infection when he has symptoms that could be markers of the disease.

People without symptomsbut who arepart of the province's targeted testing strategycan make an appointment at select pharmacies. Rapid testsare available in some places.

Travellers who need a testhave a few morelocal options to pay for one.

In western Quebec:

Tests are strongly recommended for people with symptoms and their contacts.

People can make an appointment and check wait times online.

Call 1-877-644-4545 with questions, including if walk-in testing is available nearby.

First Nations, Inuit and Mtis:

First Nations, Inuit and Mtispeople, or someone travelling to work in a remote Indigenous community, are eligible for a test in Ontario.

Akwesasne has a COVID-19 test siteby appointment only.Anyone inTyendinagawho's interested in a test can call 613-967-3603

People inPikwakanagancan book a COVID-19 test by calling 613-625-1175 and in Kitigan Zibi, 819-449-5593.

Inuit in Ottawa can call the Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team at 613-740-0999 for service, including testing andvaccines, in Inuktitut or English on weekdays.

For more information

• Ottawa Public Health.
• Your Eastern Ontario HealthUnit.
• TheOntario Ministry of Health(in several languages).
• TheCentre intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais.
• ThePublic Health Agency of Canada.