In response to Health Officials strongly recommending Social Distancing, I will be changing the format of future Bay Ward meetings by using on-line tools such as Facebook live. The goal is to #FlattenTheCurve.
Brewer Park will be used as Ottawa’s first COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre
With now three confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ottawa, the city has entered into Active Operations. This means that all city departments will be engaged in the response to the Coronavirus, and the Emergency Operations Centre is being activated to support these efforts.
The city will be opening its first COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre at the arena at Brewer Park (the rink). In addition to using the arena, the adjacent building, formerly home to the Westboro Academy, will also be used as part of the Community Assessment Centre.
There is new signage going up to direct people to the appropriate place upon entering Brewer Park from Bronson Ave
The Ottawa Hospital is the lead organization for the Community Assessment Centre and is encouraging people to go there for testing if they feel they may have the virus and they do not have severe symptoms. If showing signs of severe symptoms, people should be visiting the emergency room at the hospital. Ottawa Public Health will continue to oversee the city’s overall response to COVID-19.
We have discussed the issue of parking and traffic with city staff, and plans are being formed to keep traffic flow as smooth and efficient as possible. Parking enforcement will be dispatched to ensure that there is sufficient parking for those visiting the Community Assessment Centre. We ask neighbours and residents for their patience and cooperation during the disruption.
The centre will be operated in collaboration with The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO — serving the larger public health needs of Ottawa. It will provide assessment and testing for children and adults.
The Assessment Centre is for individuals who have:
- Returned from international travel AND are displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, including:
- fever and/or
- new or worsening cough
OR
- Had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days AND are displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, including:
- fever and/or
- new or worsening cough
Do not bring well children or other healthy members of the community (e.g. friends, neighbours, drivers) into the Assessment Centre.
All City of Ottawa community-based and recreational activities are redirected from Brewer Arena to other locations. The only residents using the arena will be those seeking assessments. This will ensure there is no cross-contact between facility users and those who are requesting assessments. There is no risk to the surrounding community. Currently, Brewer Pool remains open.
Important links about COVID-19
The city has set up a website specifically about coronavirus/COVID-19 to provide accurate, up-to-date information: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus.
Our office and the City of Ottawa will be sharing information as it becomes available. You can also stay up-to-date on information through these sources:
Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health for Public Health Ottawa, has provided a useful video for residents about COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R8eFiXq3aE.
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ottawahealth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottawahealth/
Ontario Ministry of Health
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ONThealth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONThealth/
- Web: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
Health Canada/Public Health Agency of Canada
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GovCanHealth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCdns/
- Web: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
What to do if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19
COVID-19 can cause very mild to severe illness consisting of fever, and/or cough, other upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and difficulty breathing (shortness of breath).
If your symptoms are MILD:
- Stay home, self-isolate and contact your manager
- Call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or your health care provider
- Call your health care provider or a walk-in clinic prior to visiting them in person
If your symptoms are SEVERE:
- Contact your health care provider first (if available)
- If you cannot reach your health care provider, go to the hospital emergency department and pay attention to special signage
If you have any further questions about COVID-19 you can talk with your health care provider or call 613-580-6744 to speak to a public health nurse.
Help slow the spread of COVID-19
It is important to remember that coronavirus is spread through droplets, which travel a limited distance before falling to the ground. You can minimize your risk of contracting COVID-19 by:
- Washing your hands often with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.
- Avoiding hand-to-face contact, particularly their eyes, nose, and mouth, unless you have just washed their hands.
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your arm, not your hands.
- Staying home if you are ill.
- Maintaining a distance of about two meters or more if you encounter someone who is ill or who appears to be ill.
While the risk to Canadians in their community remains low, it’s important to note that the COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly. If you’re planning to travel outside Canada, there is specific information on Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 page that should be followed upon your return to protect you, your family and our community.
If you are travelling anywhere outside of Canada including the United States and ALL cruises in the coming weeks, you should be aware that there are health risks when you travel. The current recommendation from the Public Health Agency of Canada is NOT to book cruises if possible.
Check your destination before you leave to know the risks and to be prepared. Upon returning, check the latest guidance for those who have travelled outside Canada.
