EOHU, Outaouais could soon move to more restrictive red zone

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) will likely become the latest in the region to movefrom orange tothe more restrictive red zone on the province's COVID-19 framework this week, while the Gatineau, Que., area could soon follow.

The EOHU's case countshave been trending well into red-zone levels for about a week.

The EOHUhas 237 known active cases as of Tuesdayand more residents (27) with COVID-19 in hospitalthan any other local health unit.

Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health, told reporters Monday the EOHUwouldmove to red this week, unless there'san unexpected turnaround. The decision will be made along with the Ontario government.

The move wouldmeanfewer peopleallowed inside largerrestaurants, with indoor gatheringscapped at five people and25 allowed outside, religious services excepted.

With the exception of drive-ins, cinemas also wouldclose.Gyms wouldbe limited to 10 people and there wouldbe no team sports or game playing, although training is allowed.

People are also advised not tohavevisitors indoorsand to only leave home for essential reasons. They're also urged to continue to followpublic health advice, including wearing a mask, distancing and staying home when sick.

Ottawa and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties are also in red.

Red brings with it some of the strictest restrictions detailedon theprovince's pandemic scale, second only to grey lockdown.

Next 2 weeks key for CISSSO

Also Monday, the interim director of public health forCentre intgr de sant et des services sociaux de l'Outaouais(CISSSO) said the next two weeks are important for residents and their pandemic rules.

The wider Gatineau region has seen case counts trend upfor about four weeks, saidDr. Brigitte Pinard.

Pinard saidactivities need to be limited now toturn that trend around.

"We are losing our margin of error," she said in French.

Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-JobinandPremier Franois Legault's sent similar messages on Tuesday.

• COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Tuesday

There are more than 25 COVID-19 outbreaks in this wider Gatineauarea and nearly 170 suspected coronavirus variants of concern, overfive times more than the 30 reported three weeks ago, according to Pinard.

The area'sCOVID-19 test positivity percentage, like Ottawa's, has risen tojust under four per cent.

Among the changes, moving to red on Quebec's scale would mean most religious services, funerals aside, could welcome fewer people in-person.

Peoplein red zones can only use skating rinks or pools alone or with people in their household.Gyms and spas in red zones can open as of Friday.