Medical officer says virus ‘everywhere’ in city
A kayaker paddles on the Rideau River on Wednesday at Strathcona Park as the capital region enjoyed a glorious spring day.
From West Carleton–March to Rideau–Vanier to Cumberland, the novel coronavirus has infected residents from every one of Ottawa’s 23 municipal wards.
Data released by Ottawa Public Health shows the highest rates of the disease are among residents of Rideau-Rockcliffe, Alta Vista and Barrhaven. But Ottawa’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches cautioned that this data can’t be used to identify COVID-19 “hot spots.”
For one, it captures where COVID-19 patients live, not necessarily where they contracted the virus. It’s also limited to people who were able to get tested — and for much of the pandemic, this was restricted to people in priority groups such as health-care workers and long-term care residents.
Etches explained that these maps are an exercise in transparency — Ottawans wanted local COVID -19 data, broken down by geography.
“What stands out for me when I look at the maps of the COVID-19 infections detected by lab tests is that COVID is everywhere in our community. It crosses the geography,” said Etches.
The ward-by-ward breakdown came as the city announced an employee at one of its care homes — Peter D. Clark long-term care home — has died from the virus.
The city-run home has been battling an outbreak of the virus since April 28.
Mayor Jim Watson also announced Wednesday that the City of Ottawa is extending the shutdown of city-permitted special events, festivals and cultural programming to the end of August. These permits are required for events of 500 or more people.
Etches said relaxed restrictions, which are happening in the city and province, need to be tempered by the reality of what could happen with a second wave.
“I support the relaxing of restrictions so that we can get some balance back in terms of employment and social connections,” Etches said. “What does concern me is that it doesn’t take very much for this virus to take off again.
“We do need people to keep in mind, as you’re getting out there and you’re being more active, that physical distance is what is protecting us from that … second wave people have been talking about.”
That means maintaining at least two metres of distance from those you don’t live with and wearing a non-medical mask or face covering when it’s not possible to do so — a recommendation that federal, provincial and municipal officials are now collectively recommending.
Ontario is urging all public transit riders to wear face coverings, except for children under the age of two, people with breathing problems, or people who can’t remove the masks on their own.
Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday that the province is in talks with the federal government about financial support for transit agencies, whose ridership revenues have been devastated by the pandemic.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said Wednesday that landlords will be able to apply for emergency commercial rent assistance starting May 25.
“Once this launches, you’ll received your relief quickly,” said Trudeau, urging landlords to take advantage of the program. He also noted that his government is working on a new support for larger retailers, promising more details soon.
Employers with annual revenues of $300 million or more can apply for emergency federal financing, starting Wednesday.
“Loans will be designed with a clear goal — protecting jobs, and helping our economy rebound,” said Trudeau.
“We are not offering companies a bailout.”