COVID-19 Outlook for Ottawa, Ontario
The weather is getting nicer and the urge to get outside is strong. Some good news for Ontarians today:
Businesses open as of today (May 4) include garden centres with curbside pick-up, lawn and landscaping companies and automatic car washes. Car dealerships are allowed to serve customers by appointment only. Marinas and gold courses can start getting ready to open.
What does COVID-19 look like in Ottawa and Ontario right now?
Ottawa Public Health have done a fantastic job publishing info-packed reports. Here’s the latest (May 3, 11AM *I will update this blog to reflect May 4 statistics once they become available):
1,483 confirmed cases
92 deaths
22 ongoing outbreaks (click here for the list of LTCH, RH, Hospitals, Group Homes)
“I do believe we’re in the ‘post-peak period,’ as it’s being called in Ottawa as well as the province, when it comes to community infections, based on the hospitalizations declining.” Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa Public Health Medical Officer of Health. (source)
What does this mean for Ottawa? What does ‘Reopening Ontario’ look like?
You’ve seen the infographics as they were published last weekend to coincide with Doug Ford’s speech. Now, let’s cover the highlights:
Gradual, Staged Approach: click here for a guide to Phases 1, 2 and 3. The determination as to how to progress to the next phase relies on Virus Spread and Containment, Health System Capacity, Public Health System Capacity, Incidence Tracking Capacity.
Phase 1: Protect and Support
Phase 2: Restart
Reopening in Stages (not Phases, that’s a different ball of wax):
Stage 1: select businesses can reopen if they’re able to follow physical distancing rules; Outdoor spaces (parks) may reopen; events, such as funerals, will be allowed; Hospitals can resume non-urgent/scheduled procedures.
Continued Limitations: physical distancing, hand washing.Stage 2: more workplaces will open like service industry, offices, retail; more outdoor spaces open and allowing larger public gatherings.
Continued Limitations: physical distancing, hand washing.Stage 3: all workplaces reopen; public gatherings green lit.
Continued Limitations: though larger public gatherings are allowed, concerts and sporting events remain restricted; physical distancing, hand washing.
The grand finale:
Phase 3: Recover; Our government will focus on creating jobs and opportunity.
Things are looking good…
for the general public, though my question remains unanswered.
For the Bigger Picture, follow The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam.