Achi news desk-
Ottawa has left high-risk territory for COVID-19, flu and other respiratory viruses for the first time since late August.
The weekly respiratory update from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) credits a lower number of hospitalizations and respiratory cases.
Both COVID-19 and RSV trends are considered low, while flu readings and hospitalizations remain very high as this flu season extends into spring.
The city could return to high-risk territory in the coming weeks: a similar analysis in the Kingston area has been swinging back and forth between high and lower risk.
Health officials’ recommendations include people covering coughs, wearing masks, keeping hands clean, staying home when sick and keeping up with COVID and flu vaccines to help protect themselves and vulnerable people.
COVID-19 in Ottawa
Ottawa’s recent coronavirus wastewater average is stable.
The average weekly test positivity rate in the city is around eight percent. There are 10 new COVID-related hospitalizations in the city and the active count of COVID cases is eight.
Two more COVID deaths were reported in the capital.
OPH’s monthly COVID vaccination update says 23 percent of eligible residents received a dose in the past six months, the same percentage as last month.
Across the region
In western Quebec, 17 stable hospital patients have tested positive for COVID.
The Kingston area health unit is back in high-risk respiratory territory due to an increase in its average positive flu test.
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) still rates its overall respiratory risk as moderate and stable.
Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) Public Health’s weekly COVID hospital average is two patients.
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) data goes up to March 24, when most trends were falling but COVID wastewater levels were rising.
Renfrew County’s next update is expected on Thursday.
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